An Introduction to Psycholinguistics (2nd Edition)

An Introduction to Psycholinguistics (2nd Edition) (Learning About Language)



Book Description

How do we learn to speak and understand speech? Is language unique to humans?

Psycholinguistics is the study of language as it relates to the mind and brain. The first edition of An Introduction to Psycholinguistics has established itself as a popular text for this fascinating area of linguistic study. This new edition provides students with an up-to-date, focused and accessible introduction to the key issues and the latest research information.


From the Back Cover

Learning about language

General Editors: Geoffrey Leech and Mick Short



An Introduction to Psycholinguistics examines the psychology of language as it relates to learning, mind and brain as well as to aspects of society and culture. How do we learn to speak and to understand speech? Is language unique to humans? Does language influence culture?



Using non-technical language, and providing concrete examples, the authors explore:


How children learn to speak and read their native language
Deaf language education
Case studies of wild children and animals and what we can learn from these
Second language acquisition, second language teaching methods, and the problems associated with bilingualism
Language and the brain
The relationship between thought and language



In this new edition the authors propose a radical new theory of grammar – natural grammar – which unlike other theories can account for both speech comprehension and speech production.

Also taking into account the extensive growth in theory, research and practice, this new edition is an accessible and focused introduction to the key issues and the latest research in the field of psycholinguistics.





Danny D. Steinberg is Professor Emeritus of Surugadai University and has previously taught at University of Hawaii and Rikkyo University. He is author of a number of books on semantic theory and psycholinguistics including,Semantics: An Interdisciplinary Reader in Philosophy, Linguistics and Psychology (with L. Jakobovits; 1971) and Psycholinguistics: Language, Mind and World (with H Nagata and D. Aline; 2nd edition, 2000).



Natalia V. Sciarini is an independent researcher, writer and translator, and works at the Research Services and Collections Department at Yale University. She was previously a lecturer of Introductory Linguistics and the Theory and Practice of Translation at Ulyanovsk State University.