|
Hurry - Only 2 left in stock!
|
A Short Introduction to the Study of Language provides an accessible and up-to-date invitation to key concepts of modern language study. Readers gain awareness of the scientific approach to language through examination of varied topics of current research interest. The book explores the following issues: How are young children, who have limited general cognitive capability, able to automatically pick up and use any language that is in their environment, quickly, easily and without effort? Do other animals have language what about the complex communication systems of apes, bees and cephalods? What happens when an individual is raised in an environment in which they are not exposed to language? Are some languages simpler than others - do some languages lack grammar? Is English getting worse over time, and is there one "correct" way to speak English?
This book introduces readers to work that linguists are engaged in today which explores these questions, and sheds light on a number of widespread myths and misconceptions about language.
A Short Introduction to the Study of Language provides an accessible and up-to-date invitation to key concepts of modern language study. Readers gain awareness of the scientific approach to language through examination of varied topics of current research interest. The book explores the following issues: How are young children, who have limited general cognitive capability, able to automatically pick up and use any language that is in their environment, quickly, easily and without effort? Do other animals have language what about the complex communication systems of apes, bees and cephalods? What happens when an individual is raised in an environment in which they are not exposed to language? Are some languages simpler than others - do some languages lack grammar? Is English getting worse over time, and is there one "correct" way to speak English?
This book introduces readers to work that linguists are engaged in today which explores these questions, and sheds light on a number of widespread myths and misconceptions about language.
1. What is Language?
2. Language and Other Animal Communication Systems
3. Teaching Human Language to Apes
4. Language Learning
5. Experiments in Language Acquisition
6. Abnormal Language
7. Bilingualism
8. Are there Primitive Languages?
9. Non-Standard Dialects
Ellen Thompson is Associate Professor of Linguistics at Florida International University in Miami.
A compendious, useful guide to fundamental concepts in the
scientific study of language. It’s a very welcome addition to the
field and it would be an ideal textbook for any course that is an
introduction to linguistics.
Professor Michael Aceto, East Carolina University
An intellectually stimulating and accessible introduction to the
main concepts in modern language study. A wonderful textbook for an
undergraduate Introduction to Language course.
Professor Karen Zagona, University of Washington
A clearly-written, easy-to-understand introduction to key concepts
in linguistics. It would be a good choice for the inquisitive
independent reader, for background reading for an introductory
linguistics course, or as an assigned text for a course in which
the instructor would like to introduce these concepts yet have
space to bring in additional texts, tasks, and activities.
Linguist List
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
