Updates to all the core chapters include new problems in the exercise sets, more student-friendly explanations, and a significant revision of Chapter 3, Pholonogy, that clarifies key concepts such as complementary distribution. Several special interest chapters (Language Acquisition, Psycholinguistics,
The Brain and Language) incorporate new research, and the Computational Linguistics chapter concisely explains the latest mechanical applications of linguistic theories.
New "Language in Social Contexts" chapter uses real-world examples to illustrate the theoretical foundations of sociolinguistics making the subject immediately relevant and engaging to students.
New "Language Matters" boxes in each chapter provide practical, intriguing — and lighter — facts about language designed to appeal to students and instructors alike.
More robust and comprehensive Web site now includes "For the Student Linguist" exercises and an entire chapter on Animal Communications. This material complements the more challenging material for advanced students already online, as well as the interactive features for phonetics (audio chart of IPA vowels and consonants), phonology (audio map of American dialects), and sign language (video clips of people signing).