What is the English language like, why is it like that and what do we need to know in order to study it? This wide-ranging and research-led introductory textbook provides students with the grounding in linguistics necessary to investigate these questions for themselves.
A one-stop student resource covering all aspects of studying language and linguistics from the core topics, terms and concepts of the subject to study skills and career pathways. The companion provides a gateway to wider and more specialist reading and will be an essential resource for students to turn to time and time again.
This new edition of a successful text has been thoroughly revised to make it even more accessible to those without any prior grammatical knowledge. There is greater discussion and exemplification of key terms, while essential topics are now fully introduced at the outset. There are also new sections, more diagrams and shaded boxes.
This indispensable volume complements the original Sociolinguistics Reader and brings together many of the discipline's most influential authors and texts. Including important new approaches to language and gender, social change and multilingualism, the editors point to key themes, debates and shifts within modern Sociolinguistics.
An Introduction to English Language is designed as a coursebook for students and teachers of English and introductory linguistics, which presupposes no prior knowledge of the words, sounds, sentences and meanings of English. Believing that the best way to learn is through listening and doing, the authors have packed this lively book full of worked examples and exercises drawn from a range of discourses to consolidate the student's knowledge, competence and enjoyment of the subject.
Never before have so many resources been available to support the teaching of English. With clear descriptions and interactive tasks, this introduction demonstrates how online corpora can be used in the teaching and learning of English at different linguistic levels, including vocabulary, grammar, discourse and pronunciation.
'A book that really understands the key issues for students, and helps them to appreciate what syntax is about.' - Laura Rupp, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands
'The emphasis on argumentation in this textbook is particularly useful. The writing is clear and appropriate for undergraduate students. The exercises are meaty and fun to do.' - Thomas B. Klein, Georgia Southern University, USA
Review of the first edition:
'An ideal introduction to syntax.' - The Year's Work in English Studies
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.
'As a crystal-clear, well-illustrated exposition of all the linguistic nuts and bolts one would want a beginner English Language student to know, this is unsurpassed.' - Jonathan Culpeper, Lancaster University, UK
Studying Language introduces key ideas and current critical debates about how English functions within its social and cultural contexts, and provides practical examples and guidance on how to approach further work in these areas.
'This edition of English Grammar for Today responds superbly to the requirements of contemporary students and scholars alike, and is of very significant value in understanding, describing and appreciating English in all its varied forms.' Elaine Treharne, President of the English Association
This book provides a nontechnical introduction to the study of language. The core areas of language study are approached by focusing on questions such as: Where does language come from? Who needs grammar? Pitched at a level which is suitable for students with no experience of linguistics, this lively introduction to language approaches will encourage students to think.
Discovering Language provides students with the basic descriptive knowledge they are required to master before moving on to more advanced study. Organized under thematic headings, which are thoroughly crossreferenced, the book enables students and teachers to use it either as a course text or to help with individual aspects of language.
'The goal of this volume is to provide an introduction to a number of conceptual and philosophical issues surrounding the nature and study of language. The book is wonderfully clear and engaging, and deserves a place in every undergraduate curriculum.' Geoffrey Poole, University of Newcastle, UK
This practical and informative course book leads the student through the development of the language from Old English, through Middle and Early Modern English to the establishment of Standard English in the eighteenth century. The book also now has a fully integrated ancillary website including audio downloads, worked examples and an additional chapter
