Linguistics For Dummies
Understand the science behind human languageLinguistics is the scientific study of human language. Whether you're currently enrolled in a course or just want to explore the subject,Linguistics For Dummieshelps you understand some of the primary streams of linguistics: what language is for (communication), how language works (pattern formation), what language reveals about the mind (cognition), and how written language shapes society (technology).Get to know the basics — determine the traits that all languages share and get to know the design features which ensure that language can convey meaningDiscover the building blocks of language — investigate how individual speech sounds combine to form words, which form sentences, and how those are strung together to make conversationExplore the evolution of language — consider how new languages are born, chart how language changes over time, and examine how languages are lostStudy the relationship between the human brain and language — find out how children and adults learn language and how language activates your brainDelve into the written word — see how different writing systems develop, how writing a language down changes it, and how it changes you!Open the book and find:The architecture of wordsHow linguistics categorizes into grammatical categoriesWhat makes a conversation tickThe social variables that affect languageHow linguistic archeology connects Sanskrit and EnglishWhy dying languages matter and how they can be savedWhat brain damage does to languageHow electronic writing streamlines languageLearn:The components of any languageLanguage's social dimensionsWhat language reveals about the human brainHow writing changes a language