Product Description
In this unique linguistics course-in-a-book, David and Yvonne Freeman explain essential linguistic concepts in a thorough, but manageable manner and show the connections between linguistic theory and classroom practice ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent Service
Thank you so much for fast service and a product that was exactly as described!

Good if you are a staunch whole language believer
I picked up this book from a university bookstore because I was interested in background knowledge in linguistics to help guide reading instruction.This book is a typical "we are right (whole language) and you are wrong (phonics)" debate.The authors refer to themselves as "sociopsycholinguists" which I took to be the new term for whole language teachers. I don't want to waste my time reading about the whole language vs. phonics debate anymore, I just wanted the research and background provided by linguistic study. This book just seemed to be a rehashing of whole language theories; and why they are correct and the phonics approach is wrong with little classroom strategies (which is what I wanted from the book).I wanted different ways I could use to help struggling readers no matter what the theory, I don't feel this was a good book for that.

Very useful
I found this book very useful. Well put together and the questions/assignments at the end are also appreciated. Extremely valuable as a coursebook or for self-study. No fluff.

Excellent service
The seller gave excellent service and communicated with me quickly. Book as described. Would definately work with again.

Great linguistic book for teachers
Freeman & Freeman have hit a great niche with their book. I don't want or need, a complex linguistics book in the style of Chomsky. Freeman & Freeman take language research and package the relevant "real-world" findings so they will be of use for teachers. Although my interest is for English as a Second (ESL) teachers, I believe every teacher is concerned with literacy, and Freeman & Freeman's book covers what teachers need to know concerning phonics v. whole word instruction, spelling, and grammar. Freeman & Freeman seem to belong to the Stephen Krashen school of language and reading. This is a plus for me, but for Krashen-haters, it probably wouldn't be, and they should look elsewhere. This is "baby" linguistics book--you won't get a section on Chomsky's generative grammar here. I think it would be a good companion volume along with VanPatten's "From Input to Output"--which is a slim volume solely concerned with second language acquisition and has the same conversational tone--and--this is important--their teaching advice and philosophy meshes. ... Read more

Product Description
This book provides teachers with the background knowledge for understanding the role linguistics plays in literacy development.  It fits the linguistics for teachers course, a topic that is front and center of the field's need for pre-service and in-service teachers to understand language development and the role morphology, pragmatics, semantics, and syntax plays in literacy development and language acquisition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

linguistic textbook
The text was required for my historical linguistics class. The book is actually smooth and not a burden to read. I think it is relevant for people thinking of teaching a second language to students.

Bogus
This is irrational that the kindle version of this book is more expensive than the paper one.There is no printing or supplies involved.This item should be more affordable. ... Read more

Product Description
Here is the most authoritative and up-to-date dictionary of linguistics available, fully revised for the second edition. Written by distinguished authority Peter Matthews, this handy reference includes over 3,150 entries providing worldwide coverage of languages and language families, grammatical terms in English as well as grammatical categories in other languages.Matthews also offers extensive coverage of the theory of language, language history, and important ideas and figures in linguistics.A directory of symbols is included for quick and easy reference. The new edition boasts greatly enhanced coverage of sociolinguistics, making it an ideal reference for those studying linguistics. It also includes entries on notable recent theorists in the field, such as Del Hymes and Peter Trudgill. With entries ranging from "epiglottal" and "morpheme" to "Austronesian" and "Navajo," The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics, Second Edition remains an ideal reference for students and teachers in language-related courses, and a great introduction to linguistics for the general reader with an interest in language and its study. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Great for the beginner
I am taking my first linguistics class, and it's graduate level so its fast-paced and content-packed.And it's all in Spanish.Aside from our regular textbook, the professor, who has a doctorate in Spanish Linguistics, recommended the Oxford Linguistics dictionary.It helped SO much.It breaks the definitions down into more beginner-friendly terms.

Great Dicctionary
This dictionary is a great tool for English learnear or teachers.
The seller shipped it in a good condition and very fast!

Very good reference, esp. for students
This is my second copy of the Oxford Concise Dictionary of Linguistics as this is the second edition. In my opinion better then the first one. It is a really good reference, especially for students, presents really good coverage of entries. Reasonable price!

Very handy and surprisingly complete
(The following comments are based on the first edition, which I bought a year ago. I see that Oxford published a second edition a few months ago.)

I have found P. H. Matthews' dictionary of linguistic terms to compare very favorably with David Crystal's A Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics. In spite of the considerable difference in size and price, I have found that Matthews' work has more of the terms I want to look up, and his explanations are often more to the point. I don't use it much for phonetic terminology, so any deficiency in this regard vis a vis Crystal has not been an issue for me.

I appreciate seeing the names of at least a few of the most outstanding linguists in history listed. New students in the field should find these references to the luminaries helpful. Their names show up in the literature with some regularity, and it is nice to have some place to turn for a quick summary of their contributions.

For students of linguistics, I recommend that you get Matthews' dictionary first, if you can't afford both at once, and then get Crystal's dictionary later. It is always helpful to have more than one reference of this sort on your shelf.

The dictionary I turn to first
This slim dictionary succeeds nicely at providing concise but accurate and understandable definitions of linguistic terminology.

Serious linguists will also want to own David Crystal's Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics.Crystal's dictionary is larger and more complete in most respects, especially with regard to phonetics. On the other hand, Matthews' dictionary, unlike Crystal's, has brief entries on individual linguists (Panini, Halliday) and specific languages (Etruscan, Pashto).Overall, I find Matthews' dictionary more "user-friendly": smaller, cheaper, and easier to read. I find myself consulting Matthews first, and then turning to Crystal for an alternative perspective. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (13)

exercise
i'm trying to read CL on my own. it is frustrated that there is no answer to the exercise at the end of each chapter that I can refer to. Can whoever already got this book tell me if this guide book has the answer to the exercise on the "mother book"?

Thank you very much

Thourough textbook
This book is a required text for my Analysis of the English language class. This is a great book for someone being introduced to linguistics in addition to being a reference book for someone already acquainted with the subject. There are helpful summaries at the end of each chapter and a concise glossary for all of the terms.

Good study guide
I liked how quickly I received my study guide. It was exactly what I asked for, and because I needed it for a class, the promptness was quite appreciated.

Exactly what it said
My book I ordered came about a week after I had purchased it and came exactly how it said it would be. Great service

Very Fast Service and delivery.
This was a book needed for a class at college. It took the college bookstore 3 weeks. It took me 3 days. Very Fast Service and delivery. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a black and white reproduction of the original edition including imperfections. These books have been a source of inspiration, joy and enlightenment to millions through the ages. Now they can be yours. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Saussure = Five Stars, This Edition = Zero Stars
What is there to say about Ferdinand de Saussure's most important work that I could possibly say in a short Amazon review? This is a foundational work of incredible importance. If you're looking at this listing, I probably don't need to sell you on the book itself.

My comments strictly pertain to this particular edition (ISBN 978-1443253352 - Philosophical Library publishing) because I found it very disappointing. I assumed that because the publishing date was later, there had been some improvement to the translation, a new critical introduction, or some other such feature. There are no such features to be found. You get Saussure's text and that's it.

The real outrage is in the incredibly poor printing. Much of the book looks like it's actually a photo-copy. In fact, a number of pages have blemishes on the text, as if there was a hair between the page and Xerox machine. It literally looks like this edition was photo-copied from a previous edition. I've never seen anything like it.

My advice is to avoid this edition and buy one of the earlier, more inexpensive ones. You're certainly not getting any additional quality for the increased price. This will be the last title I purchase from Philosophical Library Publishers.

Fredinand de Saussure's Course in General Linguistics - FIVE Stars
This edition - ZERO Stars

An Event
Ferdinand de Saussure's work in linguistics was a conceptual breakthrough in that he broke with the comparative approach of traditional philology. Saussure argues against the study of mere semantics and phonology and locates the object of linguistic study as the structure of sign and signification. Although there is a failure to truly resolve the problem of the linguistic unit, Saussure still makes brilliant conceptual breakthroughs regarding the synchronic-diachronic distinction. Although much of the content of this course is no longer accepted my contemporary linguists,this text is still a landmark in that it would later prove to be crucially important to the achievements of structural anthropology, philosophy, and literary theory.

FUNDAMENTAL
Fundamental text in Linguistics and semiotic theory. Good edition - cheap and easy to read.

Course in General LInguistics
It's a classic and every teacher needs one. I was very glad to get this very nice copy quickly and cheaply. Thank you.

Foundation of modern Linguistics
This text marks the beginnings of modern linguistics, and is a must for any linguistic bookshelf.This text is, surprisingly, somewhat difficult to find in bookstores, so I was happy to find this affordable copy at Amazon.I recommend this book, along with Bloomfield's Language, to anyone interested in the structuralist foundations of contemporary linguistics.
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Product Description
This verse by verse analysis of unusual forms and grammatical and exegetical difficulties in the Greek New Testament is expanded and revised, improving on the acclaimed original version. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

very good
being new to greek I find this book very helpful. Most of my reading is limited to John and Mark but it is most helpful when I stumble on a word I don't know. Would be better if it included the greek text of the NT along with the word key although that book would probably be too cumbersome towork well.very good.

amazingly helpful
This particular textbook I have found to be one of the best, especially for students and teachers who have had some background in biblical linguistics. It helps clarify cultural issues as well as explain word meanings. Somewhat technical, but not too difficult.

Excellent aid to NT
By providing the essential lexical and grammatical information, the Key enables the reader with a basic knowledge of NT Greek to follow the Greek text in context without being distracted by long, complicated searches in dictionaries or reference grammars.In this way he can more easily recognise keys to meaning which might not be apparent in translations.Rogers also provides information on the original connotation of vocabulary.

A Must Have...
This is a MUST HAVE tool for the Greek Student of any level whether beginner or at a higher level."The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament", by Rogers and Rogers JR., is the best time saver I have come across and allows for further expanded study in the Greek New Testament, thus making it possible for the student not to get bogged down with parsing verbs and shows much of the important syntax of a passage that you wouldn't get with many other sources.This book includes sourced material from Dan Wallace's Greek Grammar (Another great buy!), BDAG (Baurer-Danker's Greek-English Lexicon, which is another must have), and many other great sources from the Theological realm of in-depth study of the Greek New Testament!!Buy It and you will not be disappointed!!!

An Eisegesis Text
My Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines eisegesis as "the interpretation of a text (as of the Bible) by reading into it one's own ideas." If I had known that the Rogers & Rogers text was of this nature, I would not have purchased it. The book claims to be "exegetical" (critical interpretation) of the New Testament. As a doctoral student, this particular book cannot be used as a representable citation. Why not? One look at it's "Abbreviation and Bibliography" section includes that of Bible Commentators and general theology books. That is a red flag. The second red flag is that of the book's explanation of baptism as stated in Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-6, Galatians 3:27, and 1 Peter 3:21. As suspected, the Rogers family decided to utilize commentary and Mantey's flawed "A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament" (1950) in order to try and "prove" that baptism is unnecessary for slavation, opting instead to "show" that baptism is nothing more than a "sign" of one already saved before submitting to being baptized [note page 233 "because of"]. The one bright side: I bought Rogers' book used and not brand new! Hope this explanation helps you the readers. Peace. ... Read more

Product Description
This accessible, hands-on text not only introduces students to the important topics in historical linguistics but also shows them how to apply the methods described and how to think about the issues; abundant examples and exercises allow students to focus on how to do historical linguistics. Distinctive to this text is its integration of the standard topics with others now considered important to the field, including syntactic change, grammaticalization, sociolinguistic contributions to linguistic change, distant genetic relationships, areal linguistics, and linguistic prehistory. Examples are taken from a broad range of languages; those from the more familiar English, French, German, and Spanish make the topics more accessible, while those from non-Indo-European languages show the depth and range of the concepts they illustrate.

This second edition features expanded explanations and examples as well as updates in light of recent work in linguistics, including a defense of the family tree model, a response to recent claims on lexical diffusion/frequency, and a section on why languages diversify and spread. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

the best out there
Campbell has written a book I never tire of using in my classes.Most textbooks are flawed, some more than others, and have to be changed after a few years to avoid driving professors and students crazy.This book has no imperfections.To those who find his orthography confusing, I recommend a close read of BOTH pages of his introductory section on his orthographic methods.Each chapter is concise, readable, and comprehensive, something few authors can achieve on ANY topic.The chapters also finish with exercises ideally suited to follow up on, and aid the understanding of, the material in the chapter.Campbell does not avoid the moderate and difficult comparative and internal reconstruction problems, as other books do by relying largely on Polynesian data, but presents the student with problem sets ranging from the simple to the highly complex.The choice of which to use can be determined by the instructor and the level of the class.(BTW, the problem with the Polynesian sets is that none of them deal with assimilation and dissimilation, two forces that drive the great majority of sound changes.)Campbell also bravely and politely wades into the Mother Tongue debate, and deals with it logically and brilliantly.Considering the damage done to the field of Historical Linguistics by folks engaged in this debate, that is no small contribution.

Fantastic read, incredibly informative
Campbell's book is perfect for anyone looking to a solid introduction to historical linguistics. It came highly recommended by a friend of mine who is a professor at Cambridge.
Not only does it introduce you to the basic concepts of the field, it teaches you how to apply them.
Perhaps the only drawback is the lack of answers to the exercises.However, if you re-read the chapter preceding the exercises, you will probably be able to figure out the correct answer.
I highly recommend it!

Flawed...
In general, the book is quite good. The main problem is regarding the lack of continuity/uniformity when providing transcriptions. Most of the time, it is not clear if the representation is phonetic or orthographic. Furthermore, he uses symbols that are not IPA in the middle of IPA symbols, sometimes without telling us. Also, the diacritics are badly printed in many places in the book, appearing on the line under where they should be...

I guess I should say then that the book is good for its theoretical part, but quite disappointing for the exercises it provides.

pretty good although typographical problems
this book was really pretty good. it is a bit difficult in some of the examples for you to work because they use the orthographic tradition it was taken from, so in one example there may be different symbols for the same sound, which is confusing and complicates the problem, but is more similar to real life encounters with this work. also, sometimes there is a dot under a letter, but it looks like it is a dot on the line below above those letters; it is spread too far apart and is sometimes confusing. definitions and terms are criticized for not having any clear definitions, but the ones he gives are just as vague. the book covers a lot and once past the difficulties is pretty good

One of the best introductory textbooks on historical linguistics
I would highly recomment this book to anyone interested in historical linguistics. Having read four introductory textbooks on historical linguistics (Campbell's, R. L. Trask's, Anthony Fox's, and Terry Crowley's), I believe that Campbell's is probably the best. His writing style is clear and accessible, his explanations easy to understand, and his examples drawn from a wide variety of languages, particularly indegenous languages of Central America (Campbell is one of the leading experts in Mayan languages today). His step-by-step description on how to apply the comparative method, in particular, is in my opinion both more detailed and better-illustrated than those in most of his colleague's works. He does assume some knowledge of basic linguistic concepts, but defines those concepts which are more advanced as they come up. The exercises given at the end of each chapter are well-chosen, but unfortunately for those who are not students but merely reading the book outside of a classroom, answers are not provided.

The only complaint I have is not a problem with the writing per se, but with the way the book was printed. Several of the diacritics used in the text (in particular, an upside-down semi-circle placed under a velar consonant to signify that the consonant is fronted or palatalized) do not appear correctly, and show up a line below where they are supposed to be, which tends to interfere with the reading, as it forces you to read slower and return to previous lines to see which characters are supposed to have diacritical marks. This is not a fault of Campbell's, but it does detract somewhat from the reading (hopefully it will be fixed if there is another edition). ... Read more

Product Description

Learn how to apply NLP to fine-tune life skills, build rapport, enhance communication, and become more persuasive

One of the most exciting psychological techniques in use today, neuro-linguistic programming helps you model yourself on those-or, more accurately, the thought processes of those-who are stellar in their fields. Rooted in behavioral psychology of the 1970s, the concepts of NLP are now common to such diverse areas as business, education, sports, health, music and the performing arts-and have been instrumental in helping people change and improve their professional and personal lives. In this handy, informative guide, you will acquire a basic toolkit of NLP techniques, with advice on the NLP approach to goal-setting, as well as insights on how you think, form mental strategies, manage emotional states, and, finally, understand the world.

• With new content on new code NLP, symbolic modeling, clean language in the workplace and energetic NLP-techniques developed after the first edition
• Includes updated information throughout and two new chapters: Dipping into Modeling and Making Change Easier

Not simply a guide to reprogramming your negative or habitual thoughts, this practical, down-to-earth introduction to NLP is the first step to fulfilling personal and professional ambitions and achieving excellence in every sphere of your life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

NLP Los Angeles LANLP Training uses this book!
This NLP book review covers the topic of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), is based on the concept that all language and behaviors are of a highly structured nature. It uses methods and an attitude to affect the way we think, learn and communicate.

NLP For Dummies! is another IN-valuable resource I recommend for my students, or anyone interested in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).

Book Description

NLP has already helped millions of people overcome fears, increase confidence, enrich relationships, and achieve greater success. Now the NLP Comprehensive Training Team has written a book that reveals how to use this breakthrough technology to achieve whatever you or the client may want.

Short for neuro-linguistic programming, NLP is a revolutionary approach to human communication and development. In NLP For Dummies,guides you through specific strategies for learning the characeristics of top achievers and creating a blueprint for unlimited power. This book provides you with the essential skills you'll need to achieve peak performance in business and life. If you are seriously interested in NLP, you need this book!

Author Bio: John James Santangelo C.Ht. - Los Angeles' Premier NLP certification training company; the traditional PURE NLP 12-day 120-hr program. Learn to; develop your personal power, maintain physical vitality, create financial wealth, and produce outstanding relationships! [...] - NLP Los Angeles Premier NLP Training Company or call (888) NLP-COACH for workshops or speaking opportunities!

annoying writting
The author relies on constant example stories to try to dumb down the subject.Numerous mentions of what will be covered later is certain to distract you until you forget where the irrelevant stories were taking you. My head is still spinning.

NLP for dummies
This is great products and can give you some basic ideas about NLP, therefore can make it happen in your life. Can help you to take actions immediately. If you don't know about NLP is, this is a good book to read because it is in simple format and easy to apply.

Annoying read
I totally agree with -among others- D. Font and would like to thank him for referring to Honest Abe's website which I found very usefull. This book isn't worth your time nor your money.

NLP
For Dummies series is brilliant. I have now got CBT for dummies and NLP for dummies. Both are easy reading, you can pick them up and open at any page. No jargon, anyone can understand the concepts in both books. I have used them to inform my Mental Health student nurses about the different approaches to treatment of depression, anxiety etc.
As I was a first timer on Amazon I was a little apprehensive about ordering 'on-line' and not absolutely sure I was going to get the goods ordered. However, they were quick to deliver, cheaper than the high street, I will not hesitate to order 'on-line' from Amazon in the future. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

Linguistics Book Review
This book was required for my ASL III class. It is not something I would normally read, but it does have interesting information. The book came cellophane wrapped and in perfect condition. Just as stated. Came very quickly too. :-)

Depends on the audience
If you are going to take only one linguistics class, and it has to be on the linguistics of signed languages, then this is an adequate text on the subject. If, however, you are trying to be a little better-rounded, I'd recommend reading a non-sign-specific Intro to linguistics text -- one that covers the basics primarily with spoken languages in mind -- then read the fundamental papers covered in Valli et al.

My reasoning behind this is twofold. First, the general linguistics component of this book is pretty weak, and appears to owe a lot to Language Files. Second, this text was designed for use at Gallaudet University, which seems determined to repeat the sins of other, more traditional programs, only through their particular looking-glass. Most linguistics departments are guilty of working with only half the data, namely the spoken languages of the world, in spite of the fact that signed languages have been acknowledged as fully-fledged languages for decades. Gallaudet's remedy? Only cover the other half of the data. If the goal of a general linguistics course of study is to get a broad picture of Language in its diversity, neither approach is sufficient -- and I would extend that to ASL/English (or ASL/Spanish, etc.) interpreters, as they need to speak and think intelligently about *both* their working languages.

Very good
It was shipped earlier than the date listed on the site. Product is in great condition. Completely no hassle!

Excellent book on the structure of ASL
This is an excellent book to understand the meaning of ASL and to analyze it.It is NOT a how to sign book, it is for those who know ASL at an intermediate level at least.It is a very interesting book and covers ALOT of information, but the homework activities included help absorb the information.It challenges your thinking.

I do suggest that you only read this book if you are really serious about ASL.It is a good book for those learning to be interpreters.

This book goes over the structure of ASL such as the phonological, morphological, syntactic, semantic and sociolinguistic structures.It teaches you how to think critically about ASL linguistics so you can have a better understanding of the structure as well as the history of the language, NOT a history of the people who use the language, but a history of the language itself and its changes from as early as the 1960's, by looking into the research linguists have done and are doing.

Advanced ASL Syntax and Structure Book - Not For Beginners
The Linguistics of American Sign Language explains the morphology and syntax of ASL, not so much the 'how' as the 'why.'This book is useful for the advanced student of ASL, but not particularly helpful for a beginner.The authors, all current or former professors at Gallaudet University, explain in great detail the nuances of American Sign Language.
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Product Description
Clearly organized and written, this textbook provides a useful introduction to the relationship between language and cognitive processing in the human brain. It covers the topics likely to be encountered in a course or seminar, and provides a synthesis of study and research in a fast-growing field of linguistics. The much-needed introduction will be welcomed by undergraduates and graduates in linguistics and cognitive science. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

GOOD BOOKS
One of the most complete introduction to Cognitive Linguistics. It can be easily used a "textbook" for an introductory course on Cognitive Linguistics since it covers from basic notions (frames, domains, schemas, etc) to more complex agendas such as Construction Grammar. It is worth purchasing it! ... Read more

Product Description
IMPORTANT: The new & expanded edition of this book is now available on Amazon. Please click on the author's name or search for: "The Big Book of NLP, Expanded: 350+ Techniques, Patterns & Strategies of Neuro Linguistic Programming".

At last, a concise encyclopedia of NLP patterns!

The Big Book Of NLP contains more than 200 patterns & strategies written in an easy, step-by-step format. The methods include a full array of the fundamentals that every practitioner needs, such as the Swish pattern and The Phobia Cure, as well as advanced and unique patterns, such as The Nested Loops method and Learning Strategies. Many of these techniques were never published before and cannot be found elsewhere.

Perhaps more important, and unlike most other NLP books and programs, the patterns are written with great care and testing to ensure that they are clear and can be followed immediately. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

Great Start
Found this book to be a great start to NLP and was able to use the information in the book straight away to make a change in my life.Excellent also as a resource that you are able to go back to when you need it.Great Value!

Extensive Techniques, Poorly Organized
Great material, many useful techniques, worthy reading ... many many typos which creates a feeling that this is not a professional reference. The lack of an index and the lack of basic NLP glossary and guide greatly lowers the quality, effectiveness and potential of this book. It prevents one from reaching for it. I tend to look at other NLP books with a an index. With a few changes this book could be a bonafide great asset to a professional physicians library, however as is I would look for it used at best. A new book at this price should employ the advantages of an editor and proof reader.

Impossible to navigate
This book has some useful information in it, but I wished I'd never bought it because finding what you want is a nightmare. I just spend 10 minutes looking for some info and eventually gave up. As a life coach and NLP master practitioner I often need information quickly and this book (unless you get really lucky) cannot deliver that.

If you are going to read it from cover to cover, fine. If you want it as a reference work, forget it.

Sorely needs an index
As other reviewers have noted, this book is poorly produced and amateurish in its presentation. On that basis alone, it deserves a one-star review. But because it contains quite a bit of good (if cursory) information, I'm giving it three stars.

One result of the book's amateurish presentation is repeated frustration for the reader. For example, the author refers the reader to a passage on "state interruption" but doesn't give a page number reference, and the book has no index. Eventually, after poring over the pages-long table of contents, the reader may locate the passage, but only if s/he is alert enough to notice that in the table of contents it's referred to as material on "state break."

The author reports that a second edition is in the works. Let's hope it includes an index. Readers should not have to work this hard.

Good reference
This is a good reference if you already know NLP, don't expect to learn NLP from it.
... Read more

Product Description
Linguistics falls in the gap between arts and science, on the edges of which the most fascinating discoveries and the most important problems are found. Beginning at the 'arts' end of the subject with the common origins of languages, and finishing at the 'science' end with the newest discoveries regarding language in the brain, this stimulating guide covers all the major aspects of linguistics from a refreshing and insightful angle. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

An introduction by choice examples only
I have used this book as one required text in a general education course on Linguistics.In that capacity it is OK, but only as one component as it requires considerable complementing from other material.It is not suitable as a book from which to learn or teach the subject of linguistics in any serious or complete fashion.My GE course is designed to touch upon linguistics and its overall history, nature, and goals, without ever really serving as an introduction.Matthews's book is sort of like that.It is not a very good introduction to the subject, in the same way that a cooking show could not normally be used as an introduction to the art of cooking.While one may learn something interesting from watching Emeril prepare a dish or two, one could hardly say that was sufficient to introduce the whole subject of cooking.

Skip this one, even if you like the VSI series
This book is neither very short nor a proper introduction. In this case, the title is totally misleading.

With respect to length, the book drones on and on, and took me a surprisingly long time to finish considering the modest number of pages.

With respect to being an introduction, the author seems more interested in showing his expertise rather than guiding those new to the subject.He spends a lot of time on esoterica, while failing to clearly present the basics of linguistics.

For a truly good introduction, I suggest "Teach Yourself Linguistics" by Aitchison, which is well organized, concise, and covers all of the basics.Also check out the excellent audio/video linguistics courses offered by "The Teaching Company."

Poor introduction to the subject
This book starts interestingly with the question of the meaning of words, how we encode sounds with symbols and how languages change over space and time.Unfortunately, from Chapter 4 onwards, the discussion becomes quite hard to follow because it relies on many linguistic terms and complex sentences.For example, I had to re-read this sentence in page 65 several times to understand it:

"This ['distributive' element] distinguishes a set whose members are in some way differentiated; so, for example, forms that might be glossed as 'flower-DIST' could be used of flowers that, as well as being two or more, are not all of the same sort."

The editing and formatting of the book could be better.Some linguistic terms (e.g. "gloss" in page 50 and "genitive" in page 110) are first introduced in an example rather than in the main text.Sometimes examples, captions and quotes are in boxes in a bold font (e.g. in pages 93, 94 and 95) but other times are formatted as a standalone paragraph (e.g. in pages 77, 78 and 79).Poor formatting has resulted in a photograph of Chomsky and some text in page 90, then a description of his ideas in a box starting in page 91 but with the final sentence in a box appearing in page 92.

Many pages in this short (152 page) book are wasted: four pages are allocated to photographs of linguists and eight pages are used to advertise other books in the series!I would have preferred to see some of these pages used for a glossary of terms.

Kam-Hung Soh, 12 November 2005.

Short and Somewhat Lacking
In my search for a linguistics text for an undergraduate interdisciplinary course I teach, I ran across Peter Matthews' "Linguistics: A Very Short Introduction."The title suggested a brief overview of the subject, and the accompanying blurb described a book that sounded ideal for students who are not well versed in the subject.What I found was a text that touches on several aspects of linguistics but never really covers any in enough detail to satisfy this reader.My rating of this book, therefore, falls between that given by two other reviews, since I didn't find this book as dire as one reader nor as stellar as the other.

Matthews attempts to give an overview to a complex subject in just over 120 pages, a daunting task, to be sure.He accomplishes his goal to some degree by devoting nine short chapters to such topics as language families and phonology, but he tends to examine the shrubbery without considering the entire forest. For example, he first refers to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) on page 10, then defers his discussion of phonology till the penultimate chapter of the book; furthermore, he never produces a comprehensive phonetic chart of the IPA or any other notation system anywhere in the book.Likewise, he touches on morphosyntax, particularly in a historical context, but does little in explicating this cornerstone of linguistic analysis.I realize that space (i.e., the number of pages) is an issue in a "very short introduction," but the author found it necessary to include full-page photographs of Chomsky, Sweet, Jones, and Saussure (important figures in the field, to be sure, but why use up four pages of a book for that?), in addition to photos of grooming chimps and other visuals better left to longer textbooks.

Matthews' work does have its merits, such as his historical treatment of the development of language, an overview of language variation in English, and the inclusion of examples of morphological features in some unusual languages (Tuyuca, for instance).These illustrations are not as frequent as I would have liked, however, and the reader is left hanging with a very sketchy picture of how languages work.Matthews does provide a nice annotated bibliography at the end for those that wish to pursue a particular topic in depth.

In the main, "Linguistics: A Very Short Introduction" is a disappointing book for the layperson.I would recommend another text such as Akmajian's "Linguistics" as more in depth and much more logically organized.

'groovy'
After reading I recall these lines penned by the scholarly Penfield Geometris S.J.

Plainly, a man of skill,
and vast education
who says in ten pages
what a plain fellow would in one
writing eloquently and with great complexity
of humanities speech inferiority
to natural chimpanzee.

When a member of some illuminatimis - titles a book in order to press an agenda I feel cheated. Maybe I am just old fashioned but arguments in favor of `natural language', making ones examples from any language not English [or European].... pretty useless stuff unless one lives in an ivory tower at public expense. Almost any book which mentions the methods used in verbal encryption [in cryptology] is an improvement over this volume. ... Read more

Product Description
If you are one of the millions of people who have already discovered the power of NLP, Neuro-linguistic Programming Workbook For Dummies will allow you to perfect its lessons on how to think more positively and communicate more effectively with others.

This workbook is packed with hands-on exercises and practical techniques to help you make the most of NLP’s toolkit for new thinking and personal change. These can have an impact on many aspects of your life: from helping you change your negative beliefs, to building rapport and influencing others, to taking charge of the direction your life is taking. Take your understanding of NLP to the next level, and reap the benefits.

Neuro-linguistic Programming Workbook For Dummies includes:

Getting Your Mindset Right with NLP

Setting Sound Goals

Recognising Your Unconscious Values

Recognising How You Distort Thinking  

Developing Personal Rapport

Managing Your Emotions and Experiences

Changing Habits and Modeling Success

Recognizing What Works

Adapting Language with Metamodeling and the Milton Model ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

very useful
nlp workbook is an easy, fun, practical read book which will have you examine how you view the world.it gives strategies on how to rid yourself of negative thoughts, communicate in a positive manner and change your attitude about life.the book is full of worksheets and examples on how to fill them out.this is a book that requires you to do work!you are given options on how you view yourself, your identity, values and beliefs.you examine internal dialogue and cause and effects.overall a very enlightening read.i would love to pursue nlp training and have coaches in my area because this is indeed life changing material.

An NLP Great
The authors have outdone themselves in writing an easy to read and follow book on NLP.It am an NLP Master Practitioner, and still refer to this book becasue it is clear, concise and easy to follow, not like some NLP books that are out in the stratosphere somewhere.

Outstanding!
I was 1st introduced to NLP through Anthony Robbins...I was amazed at the benefits that resulted in just one weekend! Wanting to know more, I entered into a 7 day NLP Practioner course...again fabulous! I picked up NLP Workbook For Dummies as a recommended read for a Master NLP training course I will be taking soon....I was surprised that a highly reputable school would recommend NLP For Dummies ...I obviously knew nothing about the quality of these books...whether you have a clear understanding of NLP, or just curious, and want to know more....this book is outstanding! The workbook is consise, clear,thought provoking, and most definatly a gift to anyone desiring personal growth! Cheers to Romilla and Kate! You have given the world an opportunity to easily learn, and use what many believe to be the most powerful tools in creating change today! ... Read more

Product Description
This popular introductory linguistics text is unique for its integration of themes. Rather than treat morphology, phonetics, phonology, syntax, and semantics as completely separate fields, the book shows how they interact. It provides a sound introduction to linguistic methodology while encouraging students to consider why people are intrinsically interested in language—the ultimate puzzle of the human mind.

The text first treats such structural and interpretive parts of language as morphology, phonology, syntax, and semantics, then takes a cognitive perspective and covers such topics as pragmatics, psychology of language, language acquisition, and language and the brain. For this sixth edition, all chapters have been revised. New material includes updated examples, new special topics sections, and new discussions of the minimalist program, semantic minimalism, human genetic relationships and historical relationships among languages, Gricean theories, experimental pragmatics, and language acquisition.

The organization of the book gives instructors flexibility in designing their courses. Chapters have numerous subsections with core material presented first and additional material following as special topics. The accompanying workbook supplements the text with exercises drawn from a variety of languages. The goal is to teach basic conceptual foundations of linguistics and the methods of argumentation, justification, and hypothesis testing within the field. By presenting the most fundamental linguistics concepts in detail, the text allows students to get a feeling for how real work in different areas of linguistics is done. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

nice book
it's a good book but if you're an university student is just a source of information! no a complete book

Great book!
This is a great book... I had to read it in a period of 9 weeks; and that is a lot for me, I like taking my time, but with this book I only wanted to keep going. The definitions were simple and I did not have to go back and read again because I got lost somewhere in the text.

Excellent intro text
This is the second edition and fourth printing of this popular text by Akmajian, Demers, and Harnish at the University of Arizona. Although this text is now over 15 years old, it's still a fine introduction to the subject. One nice thing about the book is that the prose is not too technical for the beginning reader while providing excellent coverage of the important concepts and technical points. This is often a problem with linguistics texts since, unlike other technical subjects, most people have little or no background in linguistics before taking their first real course in the subject, and having previously learned a foreign language isn't as helpful as many students might think since much of linguistics, especially in the transformational grammar and generative grammar and analytical syntax areas, is a highly technical, formal, and even mathematical discipline now.

As I am mainly a neuroscientist and secondarily a linguist, I was most interested in Part 3 of this book. The first two parts present the usual linguistics topics such as phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, language variation, and evolution. Part 3 deals with the area of Psycholinguistics, and there are four chapters discussing language from the standpoint of Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology. The four chapters are: Pragmatics: The Study of Language Use and Communication; Speech Production and Comprehension; Language Acquisition in Chimp and Child;, and Language and the Brain. The chapter on the brain might be a little too basic for neuroscience students, but it's an excellent introduction for the linguistics students, and I noticed that a number of the classic experiments such as the famous "Wada test" and dichotic listening experiments were discussed, as well as topics like conduction aphasia, Broca's aphasia, Wernicke's aphasia, hemispheric localization and dominance, and so on.

Overall still a fine text and worth picking up used if you can find it, when it will be bargain for the price.

great book for learning linguistics
As the titele shows, this book is an intro to English linguistics. It covers almost all the fields of linguistics---morphology, phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and sociolinguistics. In this book, there are many examples, tables, and exercises. You can learn synthetic concepts of linguistics by reading the book. English is rather easy so even the foreign people can make good use of the textbook. You can rethink about the language and communication and it will be very interesting. ... Read more

Product Description
When people and therapists alike have a problem they can't fix, they call Richard Bandler because he delivers--often with miraculous results. Hailed as one of the greatest geniuses in the field of personal change, and the father of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Richard Bandler has helped tens of thousands of people around the globe rid themselves of 'incurable' phobias, fears, anxieties, addictions, negative habits, and past traumas often in a single session. Get the Life You Want is Richard Bandler at his best, sharing his remarkable insights, his controversial signature wit, and more than thirty-five time-tested NLP techniques that will bring about quick and lasting change in every area of your life, from breaking free of toxic or non-productive relationships, to delivering business presentations without a knot in your stomach, to quitting smoking for good. By putting Bandler's techniques into practice, you can literally change your brain chemistry without expensive drugs or endless therapy sessions; most of all, you can finally learn how to run your own brain instead of rehashing the same problems. You'll discover: How to Hone the Habit of Being Happy Why Thinking Positively Won't Change Your Life. . . And Why Thinking Precisely Will The Fast Phobia Cure That Will Banish Any Fear Including Fear of Flying, Public Speaking, and Heights How to Fall Out of Love with Someone (for Real!) If you're plagued with the past, stuck in a fear, or just unable to get your mental motor running on time, Get the Life You Want will offer a mental toolbox of ways to get your life in order. If you have spent too much time in therapy or too much money trying to do it yourself, this book is for you. The key to quick and lasting change is not only right at your fingertips, it's in your head literally. Get the Life You Want will help you unleash it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

Another Brilliant Book by Bandler...
This might replace "Using Your Brain for a Change" as my favorite intro to NLP.

Richard Bandler draws on his vast experience and fast wit to offer entertaining stories, simple exercises, and deep insights throughout this easy-to-read book.Simultaneously, you will learn much of the basics of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

It is always interesting to study Bandler... you never know what you are going to get.Lots of interesting legal battles... Methods for change that are either genius or madness... Classes and books that range from brilliant to about average.

Fortunately, I feel this book is one of his brilliant contributions.

Do you want to quit smoking/drinking?Read this book.

Do you need to be more consistent with exercise?Read this book.

Do you have painful relationships haunting your past?Read this book.

Do you just want more fun, happiness, and fulfillment out of life?Read this book, and practice the exercises you will find inside.

If you aren't ready to accept your own power and control in your life... don't read this book.If you aren't ready to powerfully change... don't choose this book.

The exercises from this book (from NLP) are powerful methods with which to approach your life... they are moment-by-moment meditations that help you to control your state and achieve your goals.

As the book will illustrate, getting what you want is primarily a matter of having the appropriate intent, and making use of the appropriate tools... I don't know if it can be made any easier than this!

A Little Bit of Bandler in the Night
I initially got this book because of an advertisement on Richard Bandler's website and I was curious. I had read Frogs into Princes and Trance-formations many years ago when they first came out and learning the rudiments of NLP back then changed me irrevocably, for the better.Now, at post 60, I was back, thanks to my dear husband, fulfilling a lifelong dream and actually getting certified as an NLP Practitioner.So, before I started my studies formally, I wanted to read Dr. Bandler's new book.It was my nightstand reading material and superceded Gibbon's 4th volume on the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.I needed something funny, and light, and I knew from experience, Richard Bandler's writing style was both.I was right.Unfortunately, my course materials came in right about that time and I haven't had a chance to finish either Get The Life You Want or Gibbon's most prophetic tome.But every now and then I get a little bit of Bandler in the night and wake up grinning from ear to ear.He is, as always, witty, and trance-formative. I think I will always love NLP because I love Bandler's writing style. Annnnd, I'll write more on this review when I finally get to finish the book.

'Cookbook' that covers the major aspects of life useable right away.
Wow! Nice! This is a book that you can read cover to cover or pick up when you need. It covers most of the major aspects in life love, finances, personal change, socializing, etc, and it gives a quick and easy step by step pattern to master that aspect of life. I love how this makes mastery of life 'bite sized' in that it gives instructions on mastering all the major aspects of life without overwhelming one with a bulky huge book or multiple volumes. Not overwhelming the reader or complicating the techniques to mastery life is MAJOR because you will find yourself being able to master life right now. This coupled with Dr. Bandler's other new book "Guide to Trance-formations" make life master 'bite sized'!

Super Easy Implementation
I found this book to be a really easy read and very easy to implement the techniques.I'm a hypnotist and have used the techniques for other people as well as on myself.It's so easy to spot the eye patterns of people when they discuss the issues that bother them.That simple technique of getting them to look someplace else when they access those negative memories is simplistic geniuses at its best.He breaks it down for you in many different scenarios so it's a very plug and play kind of book.These pattern busters really do the trick and give you some lead time to start making new habits to replace the old.
I can imagine though, that there are some people that would really find it hard to do the simple but odd exercises (even though they work).

Bandler offers readers techniques they can use to overcome their problems and begin to do what they want to do with their lives.
Get the Life You Want: The Secrets to Quick and Lasting Life Change with Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.

In this 229-page book, Bandler offers readers techniques they can use to overcome their problems and begin to do what they want to do with their lives. This is a book of techniques along with stories and examples developed over more than 40 years of working with clients. What I most appreciated here was gaining insights into how Bandler approaches problems. His attitude of determination, perseverance, along with his sense of humor are contagious. One of the essential keys to successfully using the techniques here is being able to get out of your own way. That is, to take control of your life (what much of my own writing has been about) and making all the changes you desire, means taking action. The book is easy to read and understand, the exercises are simple and easily completed, the topics discussed cover universal problem areas, and if you commit yourself to doing them, your results will be amazing. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent Instructor writes excellent text
The book is easy to read, easy to understand, and has challenging exercises in Linguistics. It is well written, and if you get a chance I highly recommend taking a course in Linguistics with Justice. He is a helpful, easy to talk to instructor.

Perfect for high school teachers
Faced with the challenge of teaching a ninth grade linguistics course, I looked long and hard for books that could help me.Almost all linguistic texts are hundreds of pages long and pitched at way too complex a level.In this one, though, Paul Justice tells you exactly what you need to know, distilling but not oversimplifying the subject.The book is designed so that you can effectively teach yourself, with exercises and good examples throughout. Justice is a clear writer and explicator, revisiting important topics when appropriate, so that you see connections, and he always remembers to explain why what he's teaching you is relevant in a high school classroom.And like the best linguistics books, it's fun.My only complaint is that the on-line solutions to the exercises are only available to teachers who adopt the text for their classes.All in all, though, this book is a definite find.

Great textbook for Linguistics students
This textbook is a great source for both undergrad and grad students. No other books explain phonology, morphology, and syntax better than this one. All the chapters are carefully designed to help learners understand better. I strongly recommend this book to any students who are interested in Linguistics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (33)

How can I make things really groovy?
Frogs into Princes (1979) is the first-ever comprehensive book on Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).It's a seminar transcript [or "trance"-script, to be punny (since its co-founder Richard Bandler is also a hypnotist)] that was edited and published by John Stevens [a.k.a. Steve Andreas, who studied under Abe Maslow (hierarchy-of-needs) and Fritz Perls (founder of gestalt therapy)].

It's so well organized and presented, together with a detailed introduction, that you feel like you're a part of the live-audience.This leads to the paradoxical problem of reading the book too casually, similarly to passively watching a performance, as opposed to treating it as the actual manual of techniques and profound concepts that it really is (which are based on extensive research that began in 1973).The paradox is that that's exactly how the authors (Bandler and John Grinder) want you to read it - because you learn more, as they tell you, subconsciously - without attempting to consciously analyze or memorize the (otherwise overwhelming) new terminology and ideas.Ideally, you should re-read the whole book immediately after you're done with your initial reading, so you could finally completely understand the proper attitude and approach that the authors are trying to instill within you (yes, you must read it twice).

NLP is not a household name as such - whereas, its most famous teacher, for example, is: Tony Robbins, who was trained by co-founder Grinder [pronounced as in "grin", not "grind"]; it also is the scientific foundation of popular TV shows like "Lie to Me", which exemplify how to read subtle "eye accessing-cues" (and other body-language) found throughout Frogs Into Princes.As they write (on page 47): "Eye movements and body movements will give you information about process.The proper domain, in our opinion, of professional communicators is process.If you indulge in content, you are going to unavoidably impose part of your belief and value system on the people you communicate with.The kinds of problems that people have, usually have nothing to do with content; they have to do with structure, the form of how they organize their experience."

Bandler and Grinder say (on page 9): "Our job is to figure out what it is that effective therapists do intuitively or unconsciously, and to make up some rules that can be taught to someone else."They have done a phenomenal job of that over the years.In addition to educating you, they will also humor you - as in the following interspersed witticisms:

(page 9): "[Academics] are not interested in the real world, and having lived in it I can sometimes understand why."

(page 32): "You can't even spell 'phonetics' phonetically!"

(page 114): "...remembering to breathe; oxygen is essential for this whole process."

(page 166): "It's important for some people to have the illusion that their conscious mind controls their behavior.It's a particularly virulent form of insanity among college professors, psychiatrists, and lawyers."

Towards the end (page 190) of this pioneering 194-page book, they ask rhetorically "How can I make things really groovy?" - which is the above title of my review [that you've probably noticed at the subconscious level, right?] - after which they proceed to briefly discuss the limitless potential within NLP for "generative" change.

For those of you who might only want the latest, condensed, quick-and-easy, "self-help" version of NLP, I highly recommend Bandler's "Get the Life You Want" (2008).That one, you don't have to go over twice - and you could use it as a "pocket-guide", too.Frogs Into Princes - and especially, The Structure of Magic (vol. 1: 1975 & vol. 2: 1976) - is intended more for researchers or serious students of NLP.

Great books!

Thought provoking, but... I'm still waiting...
I guess I was expecting something a little more "life-changing" after this book's reputation. I realize it was the first book of its kind, and groundbreaking... but I couldn't find any real takeaways or techniques other than the desire to look further into NLP (which I already had or else I wouldn't have bought it).

I read it with an open mind, and found it insightful, funny, and thought provoking.The reading flow is (purposely) confusing and choppy. Points for creativity, yes.Did it work?I don't know.Frankly I'm not sure what exactly they were trying to tell me with the loops/subconscious suggestions.Maybe that means it worked too well.

Bottom line, it's certainly unique and worth a read if you can stick with it (not an easy read) and realize you will have to do much more reading to get anything out of this stuff. If you expected to read this because it was mentioned in a dating book, and that's the end of it, I wouldn't recommend it.

Feel Hypnotized
I felt the hypnotic trance while reading this whole book, I AM ALIVE, I AM ALIVE (YOUNG Frankenstein)slight twist on words, My Bad. Richard is obviously arrogant, just overlook that part.

Couldn't put the book down...
Wow, what a revealing book. Had problems putting it down. I liked it so much that I have signed up to attend one of Richard Bandlers Practitioner courses. Definitely a book you should read first before reading any of the other NLP books.

So far so good
Haven't finished it, but thus far it is what was promised. Some very interesting things inside this little guy. I would recommend it any day. ... Read more

Product Description
Linguistics For Beginners is the first book to ever make the arcane labors of linguistics accessible to general readers. It begins with a lucid definition of language and proceeds to examine how it becomes the subject matter of linguistics. Key topics include the contrast between writing and speech to elementary lessons in different levels of analysis from sounds to sentences.Absurd fictions such as Eskimos having hundreds of words for snow are exploded, and the borderlands between linguistics and philosophy are investigated.
Linguistics for Beginners teaches concise lessons using wit and whimsy making for a memorable learning experience. The reader will learn about language acquisition, ancient languages, little-known languages, tonal and whistle languages, linguistic engineering, structuralism, language origins, the anthropological approach to linguistics, kinship semantics, color lexicons, geographical linguistics, and much more!Linguistics For Beginners is the key tool for linguistic students of any level. ... Read more

Product Description
When it was first published in 1957, Noam Chomsky's Syntactic Structure seemed to be just a logical expansion of the reigning approach to linguistics. Soon, however, there was talk from Chomsky and his associates about plumbing mental structure; then there was a new phonology; and then there was a new set of goals for the field, cutting it off completely from its anthropological roots and hitching it to a new brand of psychology. Rapidly, all of Chomsky's ideas swept the field. While the entrenched linguists were not looking for a messiah, apparently many of their students were. There was a revolution, which colored the field of linguistics for the following decades.

Chomsky's assault on Bloomfieldianism (also known as American Structuralism) and his development of Transformational-Generative Grammar was promptly endorsed by new linguistic recruits swelling the discipline in the sixties. Everyone was talking of a scientific revolution in linguistics, and major breakthroughs seemed imminent, but something unexpected happened--Chomsky and his followers had a vehement and public falling out.

In The Linguistic Wars, Randy Allen Harris tells how Chomsky began reevaluating the field and rejecting the extensions his students and erstwhile followers were making. Those he rejected (the Generative Semanticists) reacted bitterly, while new students began to pursue Chomsky's updated vision of language. The result was several years of infighting against the backdrop of the notoriously prickly sixties.

The outcome of the dispute, Harris shows, was not simply a matter of a good theory beating out a bad one. The debates followed the usual trajectory of most large-scale clashes, scientific or otherwise. Both positions changed dramatically in the course of the dispute--the triumphant Chomskyan position was very different from the initial one; the defeated generative semantics position was even more transformed. Interestingly, important features of generative semantics have since made their way into other linguistic approaches and continue to influence linguistics to this very day. And fairly high up on the list of borrowers is Noam Chomsky himself.

The repercussions of the Linguistics Wars are still with us, not only in the bruised feelings and late-night war stories of the combatants, and in the contentious mood in many quarters, but in the way linguists currently look at language and the mind. Full of anecdotes and colorful portraits of key personalities, The Linguistics Wars is a riveting narrative of the course of an important intellectual controversy, and a revealing look into how scientists and scholars contend for theoretical glory. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Excellent backgrounder to the field
Eminently suitable reading if you are embarking on a modern study of the field of linguistics or are writing an essay on the people and personalities involved or just like reading about the history and evolution of a science. Reads like a good novel. There are a few spots where the uninitiated might be intimidated by the technical treatments but they can be skimmed over. One gets a good sense of how, because of Chomsky, a Kuhnian style paradigm shift occured. What's missing perhaps is some insight that transformational grammar found a fertile ground because Chomsky was at MIT which did not have a deeply established linguistics department but did have a bias towards mathematical and notational models.

The author warns you that the personalities, esp. Chomsky, come off a little abrassively.I got a sense of Chomsky as exceptionally brilliant, revolutionary but a man seduced into creating his own orthodoxy - an quite mean about it too. One wonders what might have happened had Chomsky not been dismissive of the study of semantics.

I enjoyed it a lot.Prof. Harris writes extremely well. ;-)

The big picture
This book does a fantastic job of explaining the ever-shifting scope of linguistics, especially in the second half of the twentieth century.Even better, it puts the field of linguistics into a larger context, so you can see where the influential thinkers were coming from.

What do linguists think the study of human language should entail?What does a linguist consider important, interesting, relevant, and/or worth examining and studying?The answers to these questions have changed over the years, and sometimes radically so.You'll read a lot, of course, about Chomsky's ideas and theories, and the disagreements he had with many linguists who considered themselves his disciples, but you'll also come away with an appreciation of the influence that 20th-century philosophy (Wittgenstein, the Vienna Circle, Logical Positivism) had on the field of linguistics, and a realization that the age-old empiricism/rationalism debate is still going on, and is still important, today.

"The Linguistics Wars" is a great read, an excellent history of linguistics, a decent intro to Chomsky, and a good reminder of the importance of philosophy as well.If you're at all interested in linguistics, or curious about what kind of work linguists actually do, or want to know why everybody thinks Chomsky is such a big deal, you'll probably enjoy this book.

One of the best books about linguistics ever written
This really is one of the best books about linguistics ever written--maybe the best. As a linguist, it brought me to a whole new level of insight about my field. I wish I'd read it before I ever started graduate school, instead of afterwards--every graduate student should read this before taking their first syntax course.I managed to make it through six years of graduate school without ever understanding why people found syntax and semantics interesting; this book helped me to understand why they did.That's not really the best thing about this book, though; the best thing about it is the story that it tells about an exciting and turbulent time in the scientific field that's more interesting (to me, at any rate) than any other.

Bravo
I've spent months looking for a survey of twentieth century linguistics that explains the models and theories as well as the politics behind it all. This is the book. Buy it, enjoy it. ... Read more

Product Description
Linguistics for L2 Teachers is designed to help bilingual and ESL teachers better understand how and why the English language works, and to broaden their abilities to help their students learn about the various functions of English in the real world. It is not a complete curriculum in English linguistics, but rather, a foundation from which teachers can continue to grow and to teach with greater confidence. The reader-friendly, conversational style makes the concepts easily accessible to preservice and in-service teachers who have little or no previous experience in language study. This textbook:
* explains various aspects of English using non-technical terminology;
* goes beyond the study of grammar to examine the functions of language, not just its form;
* presents language applications in L2 classrooms; and
* clearly delineates the significance of chapter topics for L2 teachers and students.

Each chapter includes prereading activities to enhance the reader's comprehension; postreading activities to expand and elaborate the concepts; and interactive "Be A Linguist" activities to help readers think in ways similar to the ways linguists think and to provide opportunities to apply ideas explained within the chapter.

Intended for all teachers of students for whom English is a new language, this text will help them be better prepared to meet the important challenges and questions they encounter in their classrooms.
... Read more