Description

Understanding Morphology offers students an introduction to the study of work 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 syntax and 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.

Reviews

"What I valued most was the light that was shed on familiar problems thorugh a new synthesis of material and through the insights offered by recent research on morphology presented in a very accessible manner. I will definitely recommend it to my students."--Linguistics and Language Behaviour Abstracts

"The book is well-organised, coherent and user-friendly. The author covers a great range of morphological concepts and issues and offers a rich exemplification (cross-linguistically) on each topic."--Linguist List

Product Details

304 pages; 23 line illus; ISBN13: 978-0-340-76026-0ISBN10: 0-340-76026-5

About the Author(s)