Review Article: Learning Morphology: What Makes a Good Textbook?

Francis Katamba's Morphology (London: MacMillan, 1993) is reviewed with focus on the basic desiderata & pitfalls of textbook-writing for the neophyte in morphology & in linguistics in general. A number of fundamental issues are addressed: coverage, terminology, readability, consistency, referencing, & accuracy. A few hazards in writing introductory textbooks are highlighted, eg, the presentation of several alternative theories before a single theoretical approach has been firmly established, as well as the inclination to be comprehensive at the expense of cohesion & coherence, a practice which often leads to a proliferation of terminology & detracts from major insights. 8 References. Adapted from the source document