Books in the Learning about Language series

Using non-technical language, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to the evolution of Old English Language and Literature for introductory students of English Language and Linguistics. In eight structured units, it shows how the vocabulary of Old English contains many items familiar to us.

An introductory textbook on language acquisition, this volume explores the ideas of Universal Grammar and its role in language development. It aims to be more psycholinguistic than sociolinguistic although references are provided to allow students to expand their knowledge the latter.

Phonetics is the scientific study of sounds used in language. This study considers the two most influential accents in English: the British and the American. In particular, it examines how the sounds of English are made, asking: What do we do with our bodies to produce each different sound?

Part of "Learning About Language" series, this edition provides an overview of Cognitive Linguistics. It explains the concepts of categorization, of prototype and gestalt perception, of basic level and conceptual hierarchies, of figure and ground, and of metaphor and metonymy. It also brings together issues such as iconicity and lexical change.

'Varieties of Modern English' gives readers the tools needed to understand the diversity of the English language and the issues surrounding it.

Part of the Longman Annotated texts series, this volume provides an introduction to semantics. Amongst the areas covered are: markedness; opposites and negatives; deixix; orientations; modal verbs; limits to events; propositions; reference and predication; and words and sentences.

This is an introduction to pragmatics. The book accords a central place to the roles of both speaker and hearer in the construction of meaning and takes account of both social and psychological factors in the generation and interpretation of utterances.

A practical introduction to natural language processing, a form of language study which uses special computer programs. The subject is explored through the discussion and development of various computer programs which illustrate basic concepts and techniques in the field.

A ground-breaking text which examines the ways language has changed in the twentieth century. It concentrates on standard-English and takes an historical rather than sociolinguistic view of the changes which have occurred. It includes many useful exercises, notes and discussion points.