First Edition contains many elements relating the study of linguistics to the language of communication in the real world. The text is organized to make the material easy to find and the content interesting and relevant to your life. The first chapter gives you the basics such as how to define language, new ways to look at grammar, your innate knowledge about language, animal communication systems, and so on. Later chapters address core linguistics areas in depth (phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics). The many innovative and varied activities help you review and practice the content and offer ample opportunities to apply the knowledge immediately. Anyone with an interest in language will find much to enjoy in this new book by two respected educators.