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Zusatztext 'Widdowson accomplishes the formidable task of making linguistics accessible without being superficial.' Klappentext This book surveys the discipline of linguistics! the study of human language. An outline of the ways in which language has been defined! described! and explored is provided! and readers are guided towards further exploration. Zusammenfassung This is an introduction to linguistics! the study of human language. The author provides a succinct but lucid outline of the ways in which language has been defined! described! and explored! and guides readers towards further exploration of their own. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface ; Author's preface ; SECTION 1 ; Survey ; 1. The nature of language ; In the beginning ... ; The design of language ; Animal communication ; Human language: endowment or accomplishment? ; Language! mind! and social life ; 2. The scope of linguistics ; Experience and explanation ; Models and maps ; Dimensions of idealization ; Langue and parole ; Competence and performance ; Knowledge and ability ; 3. Principles and levels of analysis ; Type and token ; Principles of classification ; Dimensions of analysis ; Levels of analysis ; 4. Areas of enquiry: focus on form ; The patterns of sound: phonetics and phonology ; Sound segments ; Syllables ; Stress and intonation ; The construction of words: morphology ; Derivation and inflection ; The combination of words: syntax ; Grammatical systems ; Constituent structure ; 5. Areas of enquiry: focus on meaning ; Meaning in language: semantics ; The meaning of words ; Semantic components ; Sense relations ; Relations between words ; Meaning in context: pragmatics ; Reference! force! and effect ; Context and schema ; Negotiation of meaning ; Relations between utterances ; 6. Current issues ; The scope of linguistics ; The data of linguistics ; The relevance of linguistics ; SECTION 2 ; Readings ; SECTION 3 ; References ; SECTION 4 ; Glossary ...