An Introduction to Linguistics and Language Studies

An Introduction to Linguistics and Language Studies

Author: Anne McCabe

Publisher: Equinox Publishing (UK)

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781781794333

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This introductory textbook provides readers with a foundation in methods for analysing and understanding language from various theoretical perspectives within linguistics and language studies. Its novel approach introduces systemic functional linguistics, text and discourse analysis, and formal approaches to linguistics. It demonstrates applications of these approaches to reveal how we use language in society, how our brains process language, and how we learn language. Topics include phonetics, phonology, conversation analysis, morphology, semantics, functional and formal syntax, text linguistics, genre analysis, evaluative lexis in text, multimodal representations of meaning, language change and variation, animals and language, the brain and language, and first and second language development/acquisition. The main language focused on is English, while other languages are also drawn on to illustrate the principles, models and theories. Learning outcomes, exercises (with answer key), ideas for project work, and questions for reflection are provided throughout. A final chapter gathers explanations of various fields of practice within linguistics, written by linguists from around the world, including David Crystal (Clinical Linguistics), Frances Christie (Educational Linguistics), and Malcolm Coulthard (Forensic Linguistics). An Introduction to Linguistics and Language Studies offers an array of analytical tools for undergraduate students of language, communication, and education, and provides an overview of the field for those interested in further study in linguistics and applied language studies. Readers will come away with a heightened sensitivity to and appreciation of their own and other's use of language for creating meaning and for interaction.


Methods in Contemporary Linguistics

Methods in Contemporary Linguistics

Author: Andrea Ender

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter

Published: 2012-08-31

Total Pages: 550

ISBN-13: 3110275686

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The present volume is a broad overview of methods and methodologies in linguistics, illustrated with examples from concrete research. It collects insights gained from a broad range of linguistic sub-disciplines, ranging from core disciplines to topics in cross-linguistic and language-internal diversity or to contributions towards language, space and society. Given its critical and innovative nature, the volume is a valuable source for students and researchers of a broad range of linguistic interests.


Mathematical Methods in Linguistics

Mathematical Methods in Linguistics

Author: Barbara B.H. Partee

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 669

ISBN-13: 9400922132

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Elementary set theory accustoms the students to mathematical abstraction, includes the standard constructions of relations, functions, and orderings, and leads to a discussion of the various orders of infinity. The material on logic covers not only the standard statement logic and first-order predicate logic but includes an introduction to formal systems, axiomatization, and model theory. The section on algebra is presented with an emphasis on lattices as well as Boolean and Heyting algebras. Background for recent research in natural language semantics includes sections on lambda-abstraction and generalized quantifiers. Chapters on automata theory and formal languages contain a discussion of languages between context-free and context-sensitive and form the background for much current work in syntactic theory and computational linguistics. The many exercises not only reinforce basic skills but offer an entry to linguistic applications of mathematical concepts. For upper-level undergraduate students and graduate students in theoretical linguistics, computer-science students with interests in computational linguistics, logic programming and artificial intelligence, mathematicians and logicians with interests in linguistics and the semantics of natural language.


Research Methods in Linguistics

Research Methods in Linguistics

Author: Lia Litosseliti

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2018-09-20

Total Pages: 377

ISBN-13: 1350043451

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Research Methods in Linguistics guides the reader through the key issues, principles, and contributions of core methods in linguistic research. It is an essential resource for researchers and graduate students looking for clear introductions to key concepts, accessible discussions of theory and practice through illustrative examples, and critical engagement with current debates. Topics covered include developing research questions; combining methods; quantitative research designs (including questionnaires, chi-square tests and t-tests); corpus analysis; qualitative research methods (interview methods, discourse analytic approaches, multimodal analysis). Expanded throughout, this second edition also features: - New chapters on ethics in linguistic research; transcription; and case study research - Further reading, online resources, discussion questions and a glossary of key terms for each chapter Providing in-depth introductions to key concepts, a wealth of examples from recent linguistic research and suggestions for further exploration and discussion in each area, this book will be an invaluable resource for anyone working with linguistic data.


Historical Linguistics and Endangered Languages

Historical Linguistics and Endangered Languages

Author: Patience Epps

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2021-07-28

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 0429641613

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This collection showcases the contributions of the study of endangered and understudied languages to historical linguistic analysis, and the broader relevance of diachronic approaches toward developing better informed approaches to language documentation and description. The volume brings together perspectives from both established and up-and-coming scholars and represents a globally and linguistically diverse range of languages.The collected papers demonstrate the ways in which endangered languages can challenge existing models of language change based on more commonly studied languages, and can generate innovative insights into linguistic phenomena such as pathways of grammaticalization, forms and dynamics of contact-driven change, and the diachronic relationship between lexical and grammatical categories. In so doing, the book highlights the idea that processes and outcomes of language change long held to be universally relevant may be more sensitive to cultural and typological variability than previously assumed. Taken as a whole, this collection brings together perspectives from language documentation and historical linguistics to point the way forward for richer understandings of both language change and documentary-descriptive approaches, making this key reading for scholars in these fields.


Frequency Effects in Language Learning and Processing

Frequency Effects in Language Learning and Processing

Author: Stefan Th. Gries

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter

Published: 2012-08-31

Total Pages: 250

ISBN-13: 3110274051

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The volume contains a collection of studies on how the analysis of corpus and psycholinguistic data reveal how linguistic knowledge is affected by the frequency of linguistic elements/stimuli. The studies explore a wide range of phenomena , from phonological reduction processes and palatalization to morphological productivity, diachronic change, adjective preposition constructions, auxiliary omission, and multi-word units. The languages studied are Spanish and artificial languages, Russian, Dutch, and English. The sister volume focuses on language representation.


Intra-individual Variation in Language

Intra-individual Variation in Language

Author: Alexander Werth

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG

Published: 2021-09-07

Total Pages: 417

ISBN-13: 3110743035

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This volume offers several empirical, methodological, and theoretical approaches to the study of observable variation within individuals on various linguistic levels. With a focus on German varieties, the chapters provide answers on the following questions (inter alia): Which linguistic and extra-linguistic factors explain intra-individual variation? Is there observable intra-individual variation that cannot be explained by linguistic and extra-linguistic factors? Can group-level results be generalised to individual language usage and vice versa? Is intra-individual variation indicative of actual patterns of language change? How can intra-individual variation be examined in historical data? Consequently, the various theoretical, methodological and empirical approaches in this volume offer a better understanding of the meaning of intra-individual variation for patterns of language development, language variation and change. The inter- and transdisciplinary nature of the volume is an exciting new frontier, and the results of the studies in this book provide a wealth of new findings as well as challenges to some of the existing findings and assumptions regarding the nature of intra-individual variation.


Language Usage and Language Structure

Language Usage and Language Structure

Author: Kasper Boye

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 369

ISBN-13: 3110219174

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Addresses an issue hotly debated in the linguistic theory: the relation between language usage and language structure


The Foundations of Latin

The Foundations of Latin

Author: Philip Baldi

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 572

ISBN-13: 9783110162943

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The series publishes state-of-the-art work on core areas of linguistics across theoretical frameworks as well as studies that provide new insights by building bridges to neighbouring fields such as neuroscience and cognitive science. The series considers itself a forum for cutting-edge research based on solid empirical data on language in its various manifestations, including sign languages. It regards linguistic variation in its synchronic and diachronic dimensions as well as in its social contexts as important sources of insight for a better understanding of the design of linguistic systems.