Module Guides ENC1502 The Study of Language | Page 45

David Crystal is one of the foremost writers for introductory linguistics. He is eloquent and easy to read. This book does tend to focus on some of Crystal’s more pet concerns, which are not always the most relevant – but it is a great book nonetheless.

There are 5 copies in the Flex

The structure of this text is much more strict, and its tone more scientific that Finch or Crystal. The descriptions of some key linguistic phenomena are therefore often more comprehensive – if at times a little less warm. Less readable perhaps, but at the same time perhaps more useful as a reference work.

Some very useful essays exploring issues of pragmatics,including one by Daniel Vanderveken which explores Grice's Co-operative Principle, and another by Alain Trognon which explores the importance of mutual understanding in speech acts.

Available as an ebook through Athens