A newly expanded and updated edition of one of the best-selling introductions to linguistic morphology—the study and description of word formations in languages—that deals with inflection, derivation, and compounding, the system of word-forming elements and processes in a language. Basic concepts are introduced, with an abundance of examples from a range of familiar and exotic languages, followed by a discussion of, among other topics, the definition of word-form, productivity, inflection versus derivation, and the position of morphology to phonology—the science of speech sounds, especially the history and theory of sound changes in a language. Along with two new chapters discussing morphology and the brain and how morphology arises, changes, and disappears, this new edition includes exercises and a glossary of key terms.
Reviews
"This revision of Laurie Bauer's popular textbook is most welcome. Clear, reliable, interesting...updated to take account of the new interest in morphology. New chapters provide an excellent way into recent work informed by non-linear phonology, by diachronic typology and—most interesting of all—by psycholinguistics. Anyone who wants a quick explanation of grammaticalization, autosegmental morphology or the dual-route theory need look no further. The book also gains from the new exercises and three appendices (including a glossary). An excellent book for the student who really wants to understand."—Dick Hudson, professor of linguistics, University College London
"In the second edition of this well-known textbook, Laurie Bauer provides a thorough introduction to such basic notions as segmentability, the nature of the word—form, inflection, vs. derivation, and productivity of patterns, and processes, carefully discussing controversial issues in each case, using examples that students may well encounter early when they confront the more technical literature. The result is an accessible, handy, and reliable comprehensive guide to the basics. There are useful suggestions for further reading, and appendices containing quite challenging questions for reflection and a recapitulation with worked examples of some of the key concepts."—Richard Coates, professor of linguistics, University of Sussex
About the Author
Laurie Bauer is professor of linguistics at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and the author of Morphological Productivity and An Introduction to International Varieties of English.
