In its 11 chapters, the Study Companion on Linguistics supplies detailed guidance on the main sectors of the discipline. In this 5th edition, all the chapters have been substantially extended to take account of the most important theoretical advances of the last few years. Description is not undertaken from the perspective of a specific school of thought. Instead, the aim is to provide an overview of the most significant theoretical approaches. The book can be used as a resource to draw upon in connection with introductory linguistics classes, or as a source of background knowledge on individual sectors of linguistics discussed in advanced seminars or tested in final examinations.

The book sets out to extend the constricted view of linguistics that the discipline itself has favoured so far. Language performance, the >eternally recurring work of the mind

Just as every society has its social stratification, so linguistics has its more elevated disciplines and its less reputable areas. Many of the really exciting issues are banished into the remoter domains of the sub-disciplines or get ignored altogether. This applies above all to questions of 'right' and 'wrong', 'pleasing' and 'ugly', 'good' and 'bad'. It is in this sense that issues pertaining to norms, morals and didactics can be said to be the ugly ducklings of linguistics. The trouble with these areas is that they invite opprobrium for being 'ideological'. It is impossible to talk about them without taking up a position. It is here that we find intentions and purposes being formulated that accord ill with the canonical features of 'pure' linguistics. The book makes no attempt to stage any spurious reconciliations, but it does pinpoint sensitive areas in this connection and sees its main function as that of provoking and encouraging discussion.