An expert, accessible study, this book asks and answers fundamental questions about how language works, its regional variations, and its cultural and historical roles. The author relates linguistic issues to a broad spectrum of other areas, including the part played by language in the nature of thought and in artistic expression. No finer introduction to the subject exists, and this work's direct style and thought-provoking topics extend its appeal beyond the classroom.

Introductory: Language defined --
The elements of speech --
The sounds of language --
Form in language: grammatical processes --
Form in language: grammatical concepts --
Types of linguistic structure --
Language as a historical product: drift --
Language as a historical product: phonetic law --
How languages influence each other --
Language, race and culture --
Language and literature.