This book offers a concise introduction to synchronic English linguistics. Following an introduction to language and linguistics as such, it provides detailed descriptions of the different language levels: phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, and meaning in language (comprising semantics and pragmatics). Furthermore, one chapter deals with constructional approaches to English grammar. The final chapter serves as an outlook on the application of linguistic theory in various domains of language use, including historical linguistics, dialectology, sociolinguistics, language acquisition and forensic linguistics. Every chapter contains specific exercises that help to rehearse the key concepts introduced in this book.

Alexander Bergs is Full Professor and Chair of English Language and Linguistics at the University of Osnabrück. He is the author and editor of various books and numerous articles on historical sociolinguistics, modern Scots, constructions and language change, and on English historical linguistics.

Contents: Concise introduction to synchronic linguistics – Phonetics and phonology – Morphology – Syntax – Semantics – Pragmatics – Construction grammar.