Linguistics: A Functionalist Introduction is a concise, accessible guide to the fundamentals of language and expression for students that are new to the subject.
Unlike other introductions this book uses a functionalist framework that reflects the way language users form, derive and change meaning in an holistic way: not just through the technical construction of sentences but from how language is experienced, used, stored and processed in the mind. Beginning by introducing the concept of linguistics and different approaches to the subject, the book progresses to introducing the building blocks of language, with chapters on phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. The scope then broadens out to examine language in context and use, including language change, writing systems, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics and language acquisition. Each chapter is enriched with examples to aid learning.
This textbook is an ideal choice for students or instructors looking for a more intuitive approach to learning the fundamentals of linguistics, and is ideal for introductory linguistics classes within a variety of programmes, including and especially future language arts teachers.
List of Figures
Preface
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Phonetics
Chapter Three: Phonology
Chapter Four: Morphology
Chapter Five: Syntax
Chapter Six: Semantics
Chapter Seven: Pragmatics
Chapter Eight: Writing
Chapter Nine: Language Change
Chapter Ten: Variation
Chapter Eleven: Psycholinguistics
Chapter Twelve: First Language Acquisition
Chapter Thirteen: Second Language Acquisition
Index
Biography
K. Aaron Smith has been a professor of linguistics and Latin at Illinois State University for 21 years. He authored several articles and book chapters on language change and grammaticalization, and is the author of “A New Form-Function Grammar of English,” as well as co-author with Susan M. Kim of “This Language, A River: A History of English.”.
