Thinking Linguistically: A Scientific Approach to Language

Thinking Linguistically is a unique and clearly written introduction to the nature of linguistic analysis and issues in language acquisition. The book is for undergraduate and graduate students in linguistics, education, and psychology.

Through twenty problem sets, based in languages not only from the Americas but from other continents as well, Thinking Linguistically:

• Initiates students to the linguists’ way of observing and analyzing data by making the methods and the process of inquiry visible and accessible.
• Engages students in analyzing the breadth and depth of two phenomena in a variety of languages―the expression of noun phrase plurality and the formation of questions.
• Integrates analysis of these phenomena with results from first and second language acquisition research.
• Emphasizes the interface between phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
• Exemplifies how linguistic analysis can be used for the teaching of critical thinking, problem solving, and the nature of scientific inquiry in general.
• Is ideal for future language teachers for understanding acquisition and linguistic phenomena

Maya Honda is Associate Professor of Human Development at Wheelock College. Her work includes Understanding First and Second Language Acquisition (with Wayne O’Neil, 2004) and papers in Noam Chomsky: Critical Assessments (1994) and The View from Building 20 (1993).

Wayne O’Neil is Professor of Linguistics at MIT. His publications include The Generative Study of Second Language Acquisition (edited with Suzanne Flynn and Gita Martohardjono, 1998) and Image, Language, Brain (edited with Alec Marantz and Yasushi Miyashita, 2000).