Linguistics

Linguistics falls in the gap between arts and science, on the edges of which the most fascinating discoveries and the most important problems are found. Rather than following the conventional organization of many contemporary introductions to the subject, the author of this stimulating guide begins his discussion with the oldest, 'arts' end of the subject and moves chronologically through to the newest research - the 'science' aspects. A series of short thematic chapters look in turn at such areas as the prehistory of languages and their common origins, language and evolution, language in time and space (the nature of change inherent in language), grammars and dictionaries (how systematic is language?), and phonetics. Explication of the newest discoveries pertaining to language in the brain completes the coverage of all major aspects of linguistics from a refreshing and insightful angle.

ISBN 0192801481   Pages 144 ISBN13 9780192801487 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher Oxford University Press   Weight (grammes) 131 Imprint Oxford University Press   Published in Oxford Format Paperback   Series title Very Short Introductions Publication date 24 Apr 2003   Height (mm) 178 Library of Congress P121   Width (mm) 113 DEWEY 410   Spine width (mm) 9 DEWEY edition DC21   Academic level General

		List of illustrations
		List of maps
1		The study of language		1
2		'Homo loquens'		14
3		Language in time and space		29
4		Language families		45
5		In praise of diversity		60
6		What is a language?		76
7		How much is systematic?		87
8		Sounds		98
9		Language and the brain		113
		Further reading		127
		Index		131

This book is an introductory book about linguistics but nothing more. It may be useful for students but not for researchers on this topic. - Aslam Rasoolpuri



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