Customer Reviews

An Introduction to Language

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is, hands down, the best book to take a rank beginner and introduce him or her to the science of linguistics. The price, however, has placed it out of reach of my introductory courses in linguistics. It's sad that such an important volume has become unavailable as a text in many courses.

It's a fantastic book .. Authors explained difficult linguistic concepts with an easy-to-follow language, appropriate examples and an almost foolproof style. Inimitable, all-holes-barred and highly recommended!

This is a really good intro to linguistics. It has all the key terms you need to know and is well written. However, the highlight for me are the comics that they received permission to use. They really lighten up the otherwise heavy reading and in some instances explain the linguistic concepts in even better terms.

I bought this book for a Linguistic Anthropology class as a junior in college. The book is very good in terms of content and information. It's not exactly an easy read though. This book is definitely more suited to Linguistic majors, NOT Anthropology majors, as it focuses much more on the linguistic thoughts and theories - i.e. phonology, morphology, syntax, grammaticality, etc whereas my Anthro class was, of course, more concerned with the cultural aspects and effects of language.

I started an MA program in Linguistics with a concentration in TESOL. The intro class required this text as its only text. The price on amazon.com was approx. $20 less than the bookstore/other store prices. It is a good value for the Amazon price.

Aesthetics: It's a softcover book so it will get wrinkled at some point. There are cartoons in the chapters that break up the text and illustrate some go points.

Info: The information is in an easy to comprehend format that is organized well. As you move on past morphology into syntax, the the info becomes more technical and complex. I suggest taking notes as you go so you can process the info better. The info is presented in a way that is as clear cut as they can get. My one gripe is that they constantly reference later chapters for info they bring up earlier.

Overall: If you need to get this for a linguistics course or as a supplement, it's a good deal. If you are just dabbling, beware that the book gets technical and slightly confusing at chapter 3 or 4.

My order was received within the estimated range of delivery dates and came in the condition written in the product description. Thank you for the quick delivery!

I am wading my way through this book for an up-coming on-line class, only to discover that I now need the new edition. It seems to me that they come out with a new edition every year, and of course professors in order to receive their kick backs from the publishing company, make you buy the new edition. (Hey professors, you know those free tickets to Disneyland you just got from the publishing company for switching editions, those tickets might not cost you anything, but they are going to cost me. Thanks a lot cabron!) The differences between this edition and the old one (from what I can tell) are not much, but the university I am receiving an on-line degree from is very particular about details and having little differences in the new edition can make a big difference in my test score. I find the information presentation fine, but difficult to grasp at times. For example, I find their on-line quizzes very easy because they seem only to skim the surface of the material. I also know that I will be expected to know much more detailed information for my class. Basically like many students, I am tired of text book companies coming out with so many editions and professors expecting us always to buy new books, and thus not be able to sell back old books. If you can't get it right the tenth time, well that should say something about the text!

I LIKE THE BOOK BECAUSE IT HELPED ME A LOT IN MY CLASS... IT HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT IS VERY USEFUL...

This was just a text book for a linguistic class. I expected it to be the right one for my course, indeed it turns out to be. However the cover was missing, but I got a 20% discount from the seller; so it was not bad at all. I received $18.75 refund for the inconvenience...

thank you!! i saved so much money on my textbooks!! item was as promised!! would recommend to friends. Thanks again!!