An Introduction to Linguistics - Language, Grammar and Semantics - Second Edition

Sep 20, 2026

133

A second edition linguistics textbook introducing language as a system of communication and social behavior. It surveys what language and linguistics are, explains core concepts such as langue/parole, linguistic signs, and structural vs. diachronic views, and traces major historical traditions. The book then develops grammatical study through morphology, sentence patterns, structural analysis, transformational-generative grammar, and supra-sentential cohesion. Finally, it introduces semantics, meaning, sense-reference, entailment, and presupposition with an overview of theories of meaning.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages286

Reading Time12 h 1 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Section I: The Study of Language

1. Language

2. What is Linguistics?

3. Some Fundamental Concepts and Distinctions in Linguistics

4. Modern Linguistics: A Historical Survey

5. The Study of Language Variation

Section II: The Study of Grammar

6. What is Grammar?

7. Morphology and Word Formation

8. Basic Sentence Patterns

9. Structuralist View of Grammar and IC Analysis

10. Transformational Generative Grammar

11. Supra-sentential Grammar

Section III: The Study of Semantics

12. What is Semantics?

An Introduction to LINGUISTICS Language, Grammar and Semantics SECOND EDITION PUSHPINDER SYAL Professor, Department of English Panjab University, Chandigarh D.V. JINDAL Former Faculty Member, Postgraduate Department of English Government College, Ludhiana Delhi-110092 2013 AN INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS: LANGUAGE, GRAMMAR AND SEMANTICS, 2ND ED. Pushpinder Syal and D.V. Jindal © 2007 by PHI Learning Private Limited, Delhi. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN-978-81-203-3216-4 The export rights of this book are vested solely with the publisher. Thirteenth Printing (Second Edition) … … … April, 2013 Published by Asoke K. Ghosh, PHI Learning Private Limited, 111 , Patparganj Industrial Estate, Delhi-110092 and Printed by Syndicate Binders, A-20 , Hosiery Complex, Noida, Phase-II Extension, Noida-201305 ( N.C. R. Delhi) . CONTENTS Preface ix Preface to the First Edition xi SECTION I: THE STUDY OF LANGUAGE 1 . Language 3 1.1 What is Language? 3 1.11 Some More Definitions 5 1.2 Characteristics of Language 5 1.21 Language is a Means of Communication 5 1.22 Language is Arbitrary 6 1.23 Language is a System of Systems 6 1.24 Language is Primarily Vocal 7 1.25 Language Differs from Animal Communication in Several Ways 7 1.26 Language is a Form of Social Behaviour 9 1.27 Language is a Symbol System 10 1.28 Productivity 10 1.29 Interchangeability 10 1.3 Why Study Language? 10 Summary 11 Comprehension Questions 11 2 . What is Linguistics? 13 2.1 Definition 13 2.2 Linguistics as a Science 14 2.3 Scope of Linguistics 15 2.31 Descriptive, Comparative and Historical Linguistics 16 2.4 Levels of Linguistic Analysis 18 2.5 Branches of Linguistics 21 2.51 Psycholinguistics 22 2.52 Sociolinguistics 23 2.53 Anthropological Linguistics 24 2.54 Literary Stylistics 25 2.55 Relationship between Branches of Linguistics 25 Summary. 26 Comprehension Questions 27 3 . Some Fundamental Concepts and Distinctionsin Linguistics 28 3.1 Background 28 3.2 The Langue/ Parole Distinction, and Competence versus Performance 28 3.3 The Nature of the Linguistic Sign and Sign/Symbol Distinction 31 3.4 The Structure/System Distinction, Syntagmatic and Paradigmatic Relationships 32 3.5 Substance and Form 34 3.6 Diachronic and Synchronic Approaches 35 Summary. 37 Comprehension Questions 37 4 . Modern Linguistics: A Historical Survey 39 4.1 The Background 39 4.2 The Indian Tradition 39 4.3 The Greek and the Roman Traditions 41 4.4 After the Renaissance 43 4.5 Nineteenth-century Linguistics 43 4.6 Linguistics in the Twentieth Century 44 4.7 The American Structuralists and Bloomfield 45 4.8 The Contribution of Saussure 47 4.9 The Prague School 48 4.10 Later Developments 48 Summary. 49 Comprehension Questions 50 5 . The Study of Language Variation 51 5.1 Introduction 51 5.2 Some Diachronic Variations in Language 52 5.3 Synchronic Variations 53 5.31 Varieties due to Language Contact 53 5.32 Varieties of Dialect 55 5.33 Register 58 5.34 Classification of Registers 58 5.35 Some Distinctions 59 5.4 Stylistic Study of Literature 60 5.41 The Uses of Stylistic Study of Literature 62 5.5 The Value of Study of Language Variation 63 Summary. 64 Comprehension Questions 66 SECTION II: THE STUDY OF GRAMMAR 6 . What is Grammar? 69 6.1 The Background 69 6.2 Functions and Categories 71 6.3 Traditional Definitions 72 6.31 Positional Classes 73 6.4 Empty Words 74 6.5 Functional Labels 74 Summary. 75 Comprehension Questions 76 7 . Morphology and Word Formation 77 7.1 Definition 77 7.2 Segmentation 77 7.3 Free and Bound Morphemes 80 7.4 Morphological Analysis of a Few Words 82 7.5 Structure of Words 82 7.6 Various Ways of Word Formation 86 7.7 A Wonderful World 86 7.71 Use of Pref

FAQs

What topics does Section I cover in the study of language?

Section I explains what language is, what linguistics studies, key distinctions and concepts, a historical survey of major traditions, and language variation.

How does the book introduce grammar in Section II?

Section II covers definitions and functions of grammar, morphology and word formation, core sentence patterns, structural and IC analysis, transformational generative grammar, and supra-sentential connections.

Which semantics concepts are introduced in Section III?

Section III defines semantics and meaning, distinguishes lexical vs. grammatical meaning, explains sense and reference, and introduces entailment and presupposition along with theories of meaning.

Sep 20, 2026

133

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