Publisher's Synopsis
Learning about languageGeneral Editors: Mick Short, Lancaster University Guy Cook, Institute of Education, University of LondonThis highly successful text has established itself as a standard introduction to the practical analysis of English sentence structure. In this second edition, Noel Burton-Roberts has fully revised his original text to improve the clarity of exposition and the level of exemplification and to make the analysis more consistent with current assumptions.As before, important concepts such as constituency, category and function are carefully explained as they are introduced. Tree diagrams are clearly explained and used throughout to help the reader visualise the hierarchical structure of sentences. The final chapter sets the analysis within the context of generative grammar and language study in general.Even more than the first edition, this is a practical text, with many more exercises. These include in-text and end-of-chapter exercises with full answers and, now, further exercises without answers for use in seminar. Some are designed for practice of the analytical skills covered in the chapters, others are designed to encourage further thought.Clear development;It can be used in self-directed study and in taught courses, by students of linguistics and those studying language as part of a wider course.Noel Burton-Roberts is Professor of English Language and Linguistics in the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
