[]() Introduction

[]() Welcome to _Aitchison’s Linguistics_!

This book is an introduction to introductions to linguistics.

There are several books on the market which call themselves ‘introductions’ to the subject, but which are in fact more suited to second-year students. This book is to help people working by themselves to break into the ‘charmed circle’ of linguistics. It explains basic concepts and essential terminology.

Linguistics is a specialized field, so technical vocabulary cannot be avoided – though I have tried to explain every term used as clearly as possible

Linguistics is a field sometimes split by controversies. Wherever possible, I have taken a ‘middle-of-the-road’ view. Not that a middle-of-the-road view is necessarily right, but it is possibly more helpful for those new to the subject. Hopefully, readers will view this book as a stepping-stone to further linguistic study, and will eventually decide for themselves on which side of the road they wish to stand over key language issues.

Linguistics is a fast-changing subject, and parts of it have moved on considerably since the first edition of this book was published in 1972. Above all, linguistics has continued to expand, like a tree which grows numerous new branches. This new edition contains a number of changes, including updated suggestions for further reading.

I am most grateful to all those who have made helpful suggestions and comments, especially to any students or readers who spotted errors in the older editions. I hope none remain in this new edition, but if anyone finds any, I would be very grateful to know about them.

Happy reading!

Jean Aitchison, 2010