Linguistics for Dummies

2. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-394-37550-9
Verlag: Wiley

Buch, Englisch, 384 Seiten

Learn what language is all about—in an approachable, accessible way

Linguistics For Dummies, 2nd Edition explains the science of language in simple terms, so you can wrap your mind around how human languages are structured and what they reveal about our world. With approachable explanations in this book and coverage of the social nature of language, cognitive language processing, and beyond, this guide a go-to resource.

If you’re in a linguistics class, use this Dummies guide to speed up your study sessions and boost your grade. If not, you’re still in for a fascinating look into what linguists think about—including the key research findings, the impact of AI on language use, and other steps involved in the evolution of words. You’ll be surprised how much power language can have.

Inside:

- Learn how language started, how new languages form, and how our brains process words
- Discover what language can teach us about societies, groups, and individuals
- Gain a clear understanding of essential topics in linguistics, simple and complex
- Read about key research in linguistics, including how technology is changing language

Linguistics For Dummies, 2nd Edition covers the topics in a typical introductory linguistics class, making it ideal for both students and anyone who wants to teach themselves about the science of language.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Dechaine, Rose-Marie

Burton, Strang

Cardoso, Amanda

Nicolai, Garrett

Vatikiotis-Bateson, Eric

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Sprachwissenschaft Sprachwissenschaften

Inhaltsverzeichnis

INTRODUCTION 1

PART 1: LOOKING AT LANGUAGE THROUGH THE LENS OF LINGUISTICS 5
CHAPTER 1: Knowing a Language Versus Knowing What Language Is 7
CHAPTER 2: Communicating with Language: The Design Features 21

PART 2: THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF LANGUAGE 37
CHAPTER 3: Building the Auditory-Vocal Signal: Speech Phonetics 39
CHAPTER 4: Building the Visual-Spatial Signal: Sign Phonetics 61
CHAPTER 5: Putting Units Together: Phonology 73
CHAPTER 6: Building Words: Morphology 95
CHAPTER 7: Creating Sentences: Syntax 111
CHAPTER 8: Making Sense of Meaning: Semantics 131
CHAPTER 9: Using Language in Conversation: Pragmatics 147

PART 3: THE SOCIAL CYCLE OF LANGUAGE 165
CHAPTER 10: Embracing Language Variation: Sociolinguistics 167
CHAPTER 11: Finding Family Relations: Historical Linguistics 183
CHAPTER 12: Cataloging Differences: Linguistic Typology 203
CHAPTER 13: Beginning and Ending: The Ebb and Flow of Language 221

PART 4: YOUR BRAIN ON LANGUAGE: LEARNING AND PROCESSING LANGUAGE 237
CHAPTER 14: Learning Language 239
CHAPTER 15: Producing and Perceiving Language 261
CHAPTER 16: Locating Language in the Brain: Neurolinguistics 285

PART 5: TURNING LANGUAGE INTO TEXT 299
CHAPTER 17: Learning Language as a Machine 301
CHAPTER 18: Writing Changes You 315

PART 6: THE PART OF TENS 333
CHAPTER 19: Ten Language Myths Busted by Linguistics 335
CHAPTER 20: Ten Unsolved Problems in Linguistics 343

APPENDIX: ISO LANGUAGE CODES 351
INDEX 361

Über Autor(innen)

Strang Burton, PhD, is an associate professor of teaching in linguistics at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Amanda Cardoso, PhD, is a lecturer in linguistics at UBC.

Rose-Marie Déchaine, PhD, is a professor in linguistics at UBC.

Garrett Nicolai, PhD, is an assistant professor of teaching in linguistics and the MDS-CL program director at UBC.

Eric Vatikiotis- Bateson, PhD, was a professor and the Canada research chair in the department of linguistics at UBC.