Language and Human Behavior: An Introduction to Topics in Linguistics explores language in an accessible way from an applied linguistics perspective. Specifically, students are introduced to the forms, social varieties, and functions of language, and how language is acquired, is organized in the brain, changes over time, and is sometimes lost. As no previous knowledge of linguistics is required, the book is ideal for general education courses and can also serve as an introduction to the field for undergraduate minors or majors.

The book comprises nine themed sections. Each of the sections includes a number of short, topically relevant chapters, and original exercises, projects, and links to videos and audio excerpts that coordinate with and enliven the chapter topics. These exercises and projects provide opportunities for students to develop critical thinking and writing skills while exploring linguistic topics, and to learn more about their own and their communities' knowledge and use of language.

Each chapter is organized as follows:


Prereading questions to frame the topic
Topic
List of chapter key words
Postreading questions to review the chapter
Questions that stimulate critical thinking in small-group and whole-class discussions
Chapter references
List of readings such as academic articles and books, novels and short stories, and/or links to websites, films, and videos that highlight some aspect of the topic presented in the chapter

Additionally, each section includes interviews with linguists who discuss what drew them to the field and their perspectives on language.