Describing Language

by David Graddol

A student introduction to descriptive linguistics, Describing Language is essentially practical in its orientation. It is useful for anyone who wishes to refer to technical literature involving linguistic description, who requires a basic conceptual framework and technical vocabulary with which to discuss language, and who needs to make elementary but principled descriptions and analyses of real data (such as classroom interaction or counselling sessions). Topics covered include phonetics, prosody, word structure, syntax, text and discourse structure, word and utterance meaning, and non-verbal behaviour.
This is a significantly revised, updated and expanded version of the successful first edition. In particular, it uses a new approach to syntax and a broader review of grammar including an accessible introduction to both Chomsky's Universal Grammar and Halliday's Systematic Grammar. It is an invaluable textbook for students across the social sciences.

Genres: Linguistics, Nonfiction, Academic, Reference

244 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Joshua McCune · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is stated in the preface to this work that it shouldn’t necessarily be read cover-to-cover (however it certainly can be), and that it is fundamentally a guide for linguistics-based undergraduate courses within the Open University. This should definitely be acknowledged in an approach to this book (and explains why some sections may seem a little strange such as Chapter 5: ‘Writing Systems’), but even as a stand-alone text, it does a remarkable job at explaining, briefly but with ample explanation and interactive exercises, the necessary facets of linguistic study. Graddol, Cheshire and Swann, all contemporarily acclaimed linguists, produce a solid introduction into the fundamentals of descriptive linguistics, alluding to notable language scientists and theorists related to each sub-discipline (Quirk, Sapir, Chomsky, Beattie, etc.), whilst remaining conscious, for the reader’s benefit, of potential complexities or points of debate accordingly. Noteworthy is the relative outdatedness of a number of the assertions and ideas posited in the book, and certainly, whilst accessing it both as a standard book and as a reference work, the reader must take heed to this. There are also various descriptions and examples which, to readers around 40 years later [the work being published in 1987], may seem slightly politically questionable or otherwise problematic; again, this has both its benefits and drawbacks. Overall, however, as a reference work to the basic points of ‘Describing Language’ from an inherently linguistic viewpoint (where much is approached from a sociolinguistic viewpoint), and considering its purpose for being produced in the first place, this work demonstrates ample knowledge and provides solid foundations for a modern reader wanting to get a brief understanding into linguistics (as it was in 1987, and for the most part, as it remains today).

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

The bane of every grammar student's life. A comprehensive breakdown of the English language, looking into the systems, the structures, what makes it work, the elements of language. The emphasis is on practical description although there's theory here too.

Essential, but oh-so-dry.