Introduction to Theoretical Linguistics

This is a comprehensive introduction to current linguistic theory. It supposes no previous knowledge and terms are defined as they are introduced; but it gives a fairly rigorous and technical treatment of a wide range of topics, and brings the reader to an advanced level of understanding.

This is a comprehensive introduction to theoretical linguistics. It presupposes no previous knowledge and terms are defined as they are introduced; but it gives a rigorous and technical treatment of a wide range of topics, and brings the reader to an advanced level of understanding. Since its first publication in 1968 Introduction to Theoretical Linguistics has been one of the classic introductions to the discipline. In a field which is often seen as rapidly moving, it will continue to be used by students seeking an overview of the central areas of linguistics - phonetics and phonology, grammar and semantics - and to be of great value to anyone interested in the ways in which theory can help to explain the key problems of human language.

1. Linguistics: the scientific study of language; 2. The structure of language; 3. The sounds of language; 4. Grammar: general principles; 5. Grammatical units; 6. Grammatical structure; 7. Grammatical categories; 8. Grammatical functions; 9. Semantics: general principles; 10. Semantic structure; Notes and references; Addenda; Bibliography; Table of symbols and notational conventions; Index of proper names; Index of subjects.