Description
The English Language: An Owner's Manual is the first text designed to be used in general introductory courses in the English language that is reader friendly, accessible, and fun. Rather than focus on technical linguistics, the book offers a more eclectic set of topics to introduce students to various aspects of language. Its goals are to draw on the daily use of language, especially students' own language; explore the cultural significance of so called “traditional” grammar as a set of tools and terms; and give students a basic understanding of the modern linguistic view of language as a rule governed system. The focus throughout is on language analysis that students should find more relevant: that language is a system of universal qualities, that it is dynamic and always changing, and that studying it pushes us to rethink the assumptions we have about language.
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Can it ever be fun to learn about grammar? IsnÕt that an oxymoron? But how about the historical traditions behind grammar? What is the purpose of grammar? How does modern grammar differ from yesterdayÕs grammar? Allowing individuals to actually think about the way they speak and the aspects which comprise their everyday language is perhaps the most basic and most effective way to begin language analysis. By drawing on the daily use of language, this book explores the cultural significance of so-called "traditional" grammar as a set of tools and terms; and gives readers a basic understanding of the modern linguistic view of language as a rule-governed system. KEY TOPICS: The focus throughout is on language analysis that readers will find both relevant and interesting. Language is explored as a system of universal qualities, dynamic and transforming and language study as the impetus that pushes people to critically rethink their assumptions about language. MARKET: Anyone interested in improving their mastery of the English language.
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