Linguistics [Paperback]

• A comprehensive introduction to the study of language, set apart by its inclusion of cross-linguistic data from over 80 different spoken and signed languages
• Explores how language works by examining discourse, sentence-structure, meaning, words, and sounds
• Introduces psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic issues, including language acquisition, neurolinguistics, language variation, language change, language contact, and multilingualism
• Written in a problem-oriented style to engage readers, and is ideal for those new to the subject
• Incorporates numerous student-friendly features throughout, including extensive exercises, summaries, assignments, and suggestions for further reading
• Based on the bestselling Dutch edition of this work, the English edition has been revised and expanded to offer an up-to-date and engaging survey of linguistics for students new to the field

Preface xvii

Part I Language and the Language Faculty 1

1 From Language to Linguistics 3

1.1 Introduction 3

1.2 Languages 5

1.3 Other Languages 9

1.4 Differences 15

1.5 Linguistics 17

1.6 Different Kinds of Grammar 19

1.7 The Contents of this Book and the Subfields of Linguistics 22

2 The Language User 29

2.1 Introduction 29

2.2 Knowledge and Ability: The Cognitive System 30

2.3 Language and the Brain 34