This reader-friendly and well-balanced overview of the field of introductory linguistics pays special attention to linguistic anthropology, revealing the main contributions of linguistics to the study of human communication and how issues of culture are relevant. Well-constructed exercises in every chapter allow students to practice concepts.

This new addition to the study of linguistics covers all topics integral to an understanding of introductory linguistics and is written with the generalist reader in mind but also provides the linguistics, English, and anthropology major with the resources needed to succeed in subsequent courses.  The problem-centered approach includes well-constructed exercises and study questions integrated within each chapter. These short sections (usually 3-7 pages) in each chapter help students to understand each subject before moving on to the next.    Numerous cross-cultural examples relevant to the topics covered are included, with specific chapters devoted to anthropological topics providing emphasis on fieldwork and the fronting of phonology.

No previous knowledge on the part of the reader is assumed and all concepts are explained in a systematic way aided by numerous pedagogical aids including Introductory Questions that give the reader a summary of the content of the chapter and provide questions to keep in mind as the student reads the chapter; chapter summaries that provide a concise overview of the contents of each chapter; key terms that are defined on the page where introduced; and an end-of-book glossary that provides a tool for readers to review all key terms together.  Suggested readings and Internet resourses at the end of each chapter provide more sources for further reading.