Fundamentals of Linguistic Analysis

A favorable review of explanatory techniques and data in linguistics. The volume is comprised of five chapters: (1) methodological and theoretical preliminaries; (2) lexicology; (3) syntax; (4) phonology; and (5) diachronic analysis. Over half the book is devoted to 190 exercises in analysis which present data from secondary, though usually standard, sources representing ancient and modern languages from five continents. Eighty-five of the exercises are accompanied by useful discussions of the problems they present, with suggested analytic methods and solutions. The five chapters seem to be inconsistent in the sophistication of their approaches. While no quarrel can be made with any of the material presented, it is regrettable to see certain pertinent topics omitted. With a practical aim and direct approach, however, the book is invaluable as a primary student text or teacher supplement.