The Structure of Language: An Introduction to Grammatical Analysis

by Emma L. Pavey

Overview

Most of the time we communicate using language without considering the complex activity we are undertaking, forming words and sentences in a split second. This book introduces the analysis of language structure, combining both description and theory within a single, practical text. It begins by examining words and parts of words, and then looks at how words work together to form sentences that communicate meaning. Sentence patterns across languages are also studied, looking at the similarities and the differences we find in how languages communicate meaning. The book also discusses how context can affect how we structure our sentences: the context of a particular language and its structures, the context of old and new information for us and our addressee(s), and the context of our culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521736657
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/19/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	424
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Emma L. Pavey is Assistant Professor of Linguistics at the Canada Institute of Linguistics at Trinity Western University, British Columbia.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. The structure of words; 3. The structure of sentences; 4. The structure of meaning; 5. Integrating language structure; 6. The structure of phrases; 7. Complex structures; 8. The structure of information; 9. Language structure in context.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

'An excellent first-course in language analysis.' John R. Roberts, SIL International

Editorial Reviews

'An excellent first-course in language analysis.' John R. Roberts, SIL International

From the Publisher