For the Love of Language: An Introduction to Linguistics

For the Love of Language: An Introduction to Linguistics is an engaging introduction to human language and the role of linguistics in understanding its fundamental design, acquisition and functions. Replete with case studies and examples from Australia, New Zealand and around the world, this text offers a thorough introduction to core topics, including the structure and meaning of words, the systems that organise language, strategies for learning about language, the evolution of language and the function of language as a complex social resource. The second edition includes extensive new content across the entire text, including the areas of orthography, syntax, corpus linguistics, language acquisition and multilingualism. Each topic is accompanied by a wide array of pedagogical resources designed to consolidate student understanding, including examples and exercises. Each chapter ends with a research project, providing readers with an opportunity to build on fundamental skills and engage more thoroughly with each topic.

Kate Burridge is Professor of Linguistics in the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, Monash University, Victoria, and a fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. Her main areas of research are grammatical change in Germanic languages, the Pennsylvania German spoken by Amish/Mennonite communities in North America, the notion of linguistic taboo, popular perceptions about language, and the structure and history of English. She is a regular presenter of language segments on radio and TV.

Tonya N. Stebbins is Professor of Linguistics at La Trobe University, Victoria. Her contributions to the field include innovative partnerships with communities who speak minority and endangered languages, and ensuring that communities have access to resources that support language revitalisation. Stebbins is an experienced consultant who has completed projects across the health, human services and education sectors. Projects include program evaluation, organisational development, program review, and qualitative research on topics such as family violence, child protection, alcohol and other drugs (AOD) interventions, homelessness and financial capability.