This book is a lively introduction to the study of language by the renowned linguist, David Nunan. Drawing on a wide range of anecdotes, Nunan offers a thought-provoking way in to the basics of language study. The book is framed by accessible features including questions, further reading and a glossary of linguistic terminology and key linguists.

'The book is written in a very relaxed and readable style...a useful companion reader for undergraduates in English or language-related programmes....as well as for all those members of the general public interested in 'the stuff that surrounds them.'' - Alan Maley, English Teaching Professional
 
'An eminently useful and readable guide...a book I certainly needed when I first started teaching A Level English Language.' - Jane Bluett, The Professional Journal of the National Association for the Teaching of English

Introduction
What is This Thing called Language?
The Sound System
The Lexical System
The Grammatical System
Doing Things With Spoken Language
Doing Things With Written Language
A First Language
Language at Play
The Future of Language
Postscript
Key figures
Glossary
Index

DAVID NUNAN is Director of the English Centre and Chair Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Hong Kong, and Dean of the Graduate School of Education, Anaheim University, USA. He has published over 100 scholarly books and articles including Introducing Discourse Analysis, The Self-Directed Teacher and Cambridge Guide to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (with R. Carter). In 1998 he was elected President of TESOL International, the largest professional body of language educators in the world, and became the first person to serve in the position from outside of the United States. Other recent honours and awards include a 2002 citation by the United States Congress for services to English language education, and the 2003 ThomsonLearning TESOL Lifetime Achievement Award.