Preface Author's preface SECTION 1 Survey 1 The nature of language In the beginning . The design of language Animal communication Human language: endowment or accomplishment? Language, mind, and social life 2 The scope of linguistics Experience and explanation Models and maps Dimensions of idealization Langue and parole Competence and performance Knowledge and ability 3 Principles and levels of analysis Type and token Principles of classification Dimensions of analysis Levels of analysis 4 Areas of enquiry: focus on form The patterns of sound: phonetics and phonology Sound segments Syllables Stress and intonation The construction of words: morphology Derivation and inflection The combination of words: syntax Grammatical systems Constituent structure 5 Areas of enquiry: focus on meaning Meaning in language: semantics The meaning of words Semantic components Sense relations Relations between words Meaning in context: pragmatics Reference, force, and effect Context and schema Negotiation of meaning Relations between utterances 6 Current issues The scope of linguistics The data of linguistics The relevance of linguistics SECTION 2 Readings SECTION 3 References SECTION 4 Glossary.