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Carol Genetti
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How Languages Work: An Introduction to Language and Linguistics Paperback – 23 January 2014

by Carol Genetti (Editor)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 26 ratings
Edition: 1st
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A new and exciting introduction to linguistics, this textbook presents language in all its amazing complexity, while guiding students gently through the basics. Students emerge with an appreciation of the diversity of the world's languages, as well as a deeper understanding of the structure of human language, the ways it is used, and its broader social and cultural context. Chapters introducing the nuts and bolts of language study (phonology, syntax, meaning) are combined with those on the 'functions' of language (discourse, prosody, pragmatics, and language contact), helping students gain a better grasp of how language works in the real world. A rich set of language 'profiles' help students explore the world's linguistic diversity, identify similarities and differences between languages, and encourages them to apply concepts from earlier chapter material. A range of carefully designed pedagogical features encourage student engagement, adopting a step-by-step approach and using study questions and case studies.
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  1. ISBN-10
    9780521174688
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0521174688
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    Cambridge University Press
  5. Publication date
    23 January 2014
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    18.42 x 3.18 x 24.13 cm
  8. Print length
    674 pages
  9. See all details
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Product description

Review

'… truly a textbook of the twenty-first century …' Keren Rice, University of Toronto

'How Languages Work is the perfect introductory textbook on language and linguistics … an invigorating combination of a straightforward, introductory tone and high-level scholarship. The chapter authors effectively communicate their own enthusiasm for language and linguistics in a way that promises to engender similar enthusiasm in undergraduate readers.' Thomas Payne, University of Oregon and SIL International

'Here at last is a textbook that isn't locked into theoretical dogmas but that instead introduces students to the analytical methods and skills needed for successful research! Each method and concept is carefully explained, hands-on and step-by-step.' Balthasar Bickel, University of Zurich

Book Description

This new introduction to linguistics presents language in all its amazing complexity, while guiding students gently through the basics.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0521174686
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press; 1st edition (23 January 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 674 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780521174688
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0521174688
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 18.42 x 3.18 x 24.13 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 26 ratings

About the author

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Carol Genetti

Carol Genetti

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Carol Genetti is a Professor of Linguistics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her areas of specialization include Himalayan linguistics, grammatical description and analysis, language documentation, linguistic typology, and the interplay between syntax and prosody. Her 2007 monograph A Grammar of Dolakha Newar received the inaugural Gabelentz Award from the Association for Linguistic Typology. Genetti was the founding Director of the Institute on Field Linguistics and Language Documentation (InFIELD/CoLANG) and co-foiunder of the Consortium for Training in Language Documentation and Conservation. Since 2012, she has served as Dean of the UCSB Graduate Division.

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Emilson
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent textbook!
Reviewed in the United States on 2 September 2014
Verified Purchase
I have been looking for a textbook to be used in an introductory linguistics course and was quite excited when I first got hold of How language work by Carol Genetti. It is always difficult for a introductory textbook of linguistics to find a balance of what topics to include and what to leave out. I appreciate the choices that have been made in this volume, the depth with which the individual topics are covered, and the order in which they are presented. I also appreciate the supplemental material that is available on the website.
There are not many other introductory textbooks of linguistics out there that promote a functional perspective of grammar.
The collection of language profiles in the second part of the book not only illustrates a bit of the variety of languages that are out there but also introduces the student of samples of the kind of work that linguists produce. As the book probably contains more material than be covered in one 3 credit course, part of the book, especially the language profiles could easily be used in subsequent courses on morphology, syntax, language typology etc.
One reviewer complained that the language of this text is too technical. However, I find it a lot easier to read than the textbook we used before (Linguistics - An Introduction by William McGregor)
4 people found this helpful
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LP
3.0 out of 5 stars Great content, poor physical quality
Reviewed in the United States on 2 July 2014
Verified Purchase
The content of this book is good but the binding job is terrible. I've been using this book for my linguistics class for less than 4 weeks now and groups of pages are falling out at the front and back already. I've only had this kind of wear happen on books that I've read several times over a number of years so I think the binding work is just very poor.

Also, there are chapter tools on a corresponding website but they are only available for the first 5 chapters (out of 15). These tools have been really helpful but it's very disappointing to be without them as the content becomes harder in Chapter 6. This mainly frustrates me because the text refers to exercises on the website that are simply not there.

Some positive points: The lines in the chapters that are most helpful are in boldface which is quite helpful when doing a quick skim of a chapter for review before an exam. And there are language profiles in the back of the book that really help to apply the terms you learn throughout to diverse languages from around the world.

Overall, I would say the value of this book is not worth the discontinuity with the website and the substandard condition. If you have a choice, go for a different Linguistics book.
4 people found this helpful
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Miss Iggy Dodger
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 28 October 2014
Verified Purchase
Class text book. I am not a linguist to evaluate it's worth
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Suzy Q.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource material for Introduction to Linguistics
Reviewed in the United States on 3 October 2019
Verified Purchase
This hard copy physical book is ideal. The ebook version costs twice as much! The book helps me keep up with the lectures. I am very happy with my purchase!
One person found this helpful
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AS
1.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy the e-book.
Reviewed in the United States on 1 December 2017
Verified Purchase
The ebook is formatted terribly. Chapter problems will require that you solve highlighted parts that don't exist. Half of the problems for Chapter 14 have been reduced to two columns that are a letter each. This is not a problem of browser choice- I switched several times. I really wish I had rented the physical copy instead. In terms of content, not my cup of tea, but I needed the book for class.
3 people found this helpful
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