Understanding Morphology (Understanding Language) - Softcover

Haspelmath, Martin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0340760265 ISBN 13: 9780340760260

Publisher: Routledge, 2002

Synopsis

This series provides approachable, yet authoritative introductions to all the major topics in linguistics. Ideal for students with little or no prior knowledge of linguistics, each book carefully explains the basics, emphasising understanding of the essential notions rather than arguing for a particular theoretical position.



Understanding Morphology offers students an introduction to the study of word structure that starts at the very beginning. Assuming no knowledge of the field of morphology on the part of the reader, the book presents a broad range of morphological phenomena from a wide variety of languages. Starting with the core areas of inflection and derivation, the book presents the interfaces between morphology and syntax and between morphology and phonology. The synchronic study of word structure is covered as are the phenomena of diachronic change such as analogy and grammaticalization.



Theories presented clearly in accessible language with the main purpose of shedding light on the data, rather than as a goal in themselves. The author consistently draws on the best research available, thus utilizing and discussing both functionalist and generative theoretical approaches.



Each chapter includes a summary, suggestions for further reading, and exercises. As such this is the ideal book for both beginning students of linguistics, or anyone in a related discipline looking for a first introduction to morphology.

About this title

Review

"The revisions are really excellent. They keep the wealth of typological examples in the first edition, while incorporating a deep and clear discussion of recent advances in the theory of productivity and change. This updated training for students will certainly raise the level of the field."

Janet B. Pierrehumbert, Professor of Linguistics, Northwestern University, USA

About the Author

Martin Haspelmath is a Senior Researcher in the Linguistics Department of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and an Honorary Professor at the University of Leipzig.
Andrea D. Sims is Assistant Professor of Slavic Linguistics at The Ohio State University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0340760265
• ISBN 13: 9780340760260
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304