All About Language
A Guide
Barry J. Blake
April 2008
ISBN: 9780199238408
344 pages
Paperback
246x171mm
In Stock
Price: £18.99In clear, congenial style Barry Blake explains every aspect of how language works - in conversation, writing, and the brain - and how it never stops changing. His engaging account is for everyone curious about language or who needs to know more about it.
Description
In clear, congenial style Barry Blake explains every aspect of how language works - in conversation, writing, and the brain - and how it never stops changing. His engaging account is for everyone curious about language or who needs to know more about it.
- Crystal clear exposition combines with comprehensive coverage of the field
- Illustrated with the author's cartoons
- Full glossary of terms
- Further reading and problems at every stage
- Two-colour printing throughout
- Companion website
- Covers UK and US approaches to phonology
- Treats syntax in basic terms
- Covers current trends and issues, such as in-group talk
About the Author(s)
Barry J. Blake, La Trobe University
Table of Contents
- 1:Introduction
Part One: Words
2:Word Classes
3:Forming New Words
4:Meaning of Words
Part Two: Syntax and Discourse
5:The Simple Sentence
6:Compound and Complex Sentences
7:Using Language
Part Three: Speech and Writing
8:Phonetics
9:Phonology
10:Writing
Part Four: Variation and Change
11:Varieties
12:Language Change
Part Five: The Brain
13:Language Acquisition
14:Language Processing: Brains and Computers
15:The Origin of Language
Glossary of Terms
References and Further Reading
Index
Reviews
"...an attractive, readable introduction to the English Language and a welcome addition to the increasing range of titles which will persuade people that language merits closer scrutiny in its own right." - Tim Connell, The Times Literary Supplement
"This is a textbook and a very good one...an easy, conversational style that makes the highly complex and intricate nature of language seem quite explicable." - Steven Carroll The Age (Melbourne)
"An informative and highly readable overview of basic linguistic ideas and debates. Barry Blake succeeds in making complex concepts accessible to beginning students without talking down to them. If I hadn't retired last year, I'd very likely use the book myself as a text in the undergraduate-level introduction to linguistics." - Frederick J. Newmeyer, University of Washington and University of British Columbia
"A stimulating introduction to linguistics and language study. All About Language is clearly written and contains a wealth of thought-provoking and interesting examples taken from English as well as from other languages, including signing. It has a nicely judged set of topics that cover an enormous range in a short space." - Keith Brown, University of Cambridge
"An informative and highly readable supplement of cognitive science which provides a very good summary of the language topic." - Florian Röser, Jutsus-Liebig University Giessen
Related Titles
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