Understanding Language through Humor - Softcover

Dubinsky, Stanley

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1108740065 ISBN 13: 9781108740067

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2026

Synopsis

Entertaining usage of language is all around us and can explain more about how language works than we realise. This lively and engaging book explains key linguistic concepts, illustrated throughout with humorous and entertaining examples. Providing an accessible yet comprehensive survey of the field, it is especially helpful for students who might struggle with an overly technical text. Now in its second edition, it has been extensively updated and expanded to be more comprehensive and include culturally relevant content, from memes to smartphone autocorrect errors, to misheard song lyrics. It includes four new chapters on lexical meaning, onomastics, writing systems, and language in the digital world. Key linguistic terminology is clearly introduced throughout, ensuring that students are well equipped for more technical and formal courses in their later studies. With thorough coverage of nearly all linguistic subfields, the book is an ideal text for an introduction to linguistics or language.

About this title

About the Author

Stanley Dubinsky has taught Linguistics at the University of South Carolina since 1991. He has lived 'a life in language,' with a BA in Spanish & Latin American Literature and Asian Studies (from Hebrew University – Jerusalem), an MA in Chinese Literature, and a PhD in Linguistics (both from Cornell).

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1108740065
• ISBN 13: 9781108740067
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 422