Introducing Linguistics: Theoretical and Applied Approaches

Description

Everything we do involves language. Assuming no prior knowledge, this book offers students a contemporary introduction to the study of language. Each thought-provoking chapter is accessible to readers from a variety of fields, and is helpfully organized across six parts: sound; structure and meaning; language typologies and change; language and social aspects; language acquisition; and language, cognition, and the brain. The book's companion website also offers three brief chapters on language and computers; animal communication; and dialectal varieties of English. The chapters feature illustrative tables, figures and maps, along with three types of pedagogical boxes (Linguistic Tidbits; Pause and Reflect; and Eyes on World Languages) that break up text, contextualize information, and provide colourful accents that give real data from languages across the globe. Key words are bolded and defined in a glossary at the end of the book, while end-of-chapter summaries and practice exercises reinforce the key points discussed.

Joyce Bruhn de Garavito is a Professor Emeritus of Hispanic Studies and Linguistics at Western University and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Ottawa. She is the recipient of the Western University Pleva award for excellence in teaching and the Graham and Gail Wright Distinguished Scholar award. Her research interests include theoretical linguistics (syntax, language acquisition, Romance languages); languages in contact (language change, bilingualism, Amerindian languages); and applied linguistics (language teaching, methodology). John W. Schwieter is a Professor of Spanish and Linguistics and Faculty of Arts Teaching Scholar at Wilfrid Laurier University where he directs the Language Acquisition, Multilingualism, and Cognition Laboratory and Bilingualism Matters at Laurier. His research interests include: psycholinguistic and neurolinguistic approaches to multilingualism and language acquisition; second language teaching and learning; translation and cognition; and language, culture, and society. He is the Executive Editor of the book series Bilingual Processing and Acquisition (Benjamins) and Co-Editor of Cambridge Elements in Second Language Acquisition.

'Everyone is interested in language, and for those lucky students who get to study linguistics in college, this is a superb introduction to how we express ourselves and understand each other.' Steven Pinker, Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, USA 'This textbook provides an excellent overview of language, language use, and the analytical toolkit of theoretical linguistics. The well-chosen examples and the many thought-provoking exercises provide the reader with a wonderful overview not only of the kind of phenomena observed in languages across the world, but also of how languages are used, of how they change over time, and of how they are acquired.' Harald Baayen, Professor of Quantitative Linguistics, University of Tubingen, Germany 'A comprehensive and comprehensible introduction to linguistics and related fields. The text is interspersed with thought-provoking and intriguing boxes of information, which help to make the chapters interesting and accessible. Highly recommended as an introductory textbook for people with no background in the field.' Lydia White, James McGill Professor Emeritus of Linguistics, McGill University, Canada 'This is an excellent textbook to introduce readers to linguistics. It is very engaging and fun to read, and its up-to-date coverage of the field is outstanding. I highly recommend it for students taking linguistics as an elective or part of their program.' Aline Ferreira, University of California, Santa Barbara 'In teaching both social theory and ethnographic methods courses, I have long sought a volume that gives a broad overview of linguistic knowledge while illustrating the profoundly social nature of all language. With this book, students in these foundational courses can clearly perceive, and then put into practice, linguistic knowledge that will enhance all aspects of their work.' Robert LaFleur, Beloit College 'Introducing Linguistics, by De Garavito and Schwieter, offers a fresh yet comprehensive look at the study of linguistics. Often viewed as a difficult area, the authors' approach is organized and addresses the major topics of language acquisition from both an academic and a social perspective. This structure is well developed and allows the reader to focus on specific topics under the major headings. The book promises to be a useful tool for the student who is not familiar with, as well as those who are well-versed in, linguistics.' Valerie C. Rutledge, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga '... Introducing Linguistics. Theoretical and Applied Approaches' will constitute a good companion for those who are taking their first steps in the study of language and, hopefully, will encourage students to reach for more.' David M. Karaj, Linguist