First published 1985 Second edition 1996 Third edition 2006 Fourth edition 2010 Fifth edition 2014 Printed in the United Kingdom by MPG Printgroup Ltd, Cambridge A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Yule, George, 1947– The study of language / George Yule. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. Information on this title: First and second editions © Cambridge University Press 1985, 1996 Third, fourth and fifth editions © George Yule 2006, 2010, 2014 This publication is in copyright. It furthers the University’s mission by disseminating knowledge in the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. The Study of Language FIFTH EDITION George Yule University Printing House, Cambridge CB2 8BS, United Kingdom Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York Cambridge University Press is part of the University of Cambridge. George Yule has taught Linguistics at the universities of Edinburgh, Hawai‘i, Louisiana State and Minnesota. This is the most fundamental and easy-to-use introduction to the study of language. An expanded and revised online study guide provides students with further resources, including answers and tutorials for all tasks, while encouraging lively and proactive learning. To increase student engagement, and to foster problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, the book includes thirty new tasks.

This fifth edition has been revised and updated with new figures and tables, additional topics, and numerous new examples using languages from across the world. Assuming no prior knowledge of the subject, Yule presents information in bite-sized sections, clearly explaining the major concepts in linguistics – from how children learn language to why men and women speak differently, through all the key elements of language. The Study of Language This best-selling textbook provides an engaging and user-friendly introduction to the study of language.

The study of language fourth edition