Chapter 1 The origins of language 1
Chapter 2 The development of writing 8
Chapter 3 The properties of language 16
Chapter 4 Animals and human language 25
Chapter 5 The sounds of language 33
Chapter 6 The sound patterns of language 44
Chapter 7 Words and word-formation processes 51
Chapter 8 Morphology 59
Chapter 9 Phrases and sentences: grammar 68
Chapter 10 Syntax 80
Chapter 11 Semantics and pragmatics 91
Chapter 12 Discourse analysis 104
Chapter 13 Language and machines 115
Chapter 14 Language and the brain 124
Chapter 15 First language acquisition 136
Chapter 16 Second language acquisition/learning 150
Chapter 17 Sign language 158
Chapter 18 Language history and change 167
Chapter 19 Language varieties 180
Chapter 20 Language, society and culture 190
Appendix: Suggested answers to Study questions 201
References 207
Index 215