W. Terrence Gordon.
Illustrated by Susan Willmarth.
 
Linguistics For Beginners is the first book to make
the arcane labors of linguistics accessible to
general readers. It begins with a lucid definition
of language and proceeds to examine how it
becomes the subject matter of linguistics. Key
topics include the contrast between writing and
speech, and elementary lessons in analyses
ranging from simple sounds to entire sentences.
Absurd fictions such as Eskimos having hundreds
of words for snow are exploded, and the borderlands
between linguistics and philosophy are
investigated. The book teaches concise lessons
using wit and whimsy making for a memorable learning experience.