本书采用功能派语言学的观点编写。本书着重从语言的社会功能出发，书中的第一部分在揭示了语言性质和功能之后，首先讨论语义学的基本内容；然后讨论词法学、词汇学及句法学；最后讨论语音学和音位学。本书的第二部分揭示了语言与思维、现实，语言与文化、社会、个人的密切关系，意在引导学员宏观地认识语言，深入地理解语言学的理论价值和实用价值。本书的最后几章探讨语言与商业、语言与政治的密切关系，并讨论语言学对外语“教”与“学”的启迪，重点介绍功能派语言教学的一些观点。

本书既可作为英语专业本科高年级学生的教材，英语专业一年级硕士研究生语言学课程的参考教材，也可作为各类人员的自学用书。

            Part 1

Chapter 1 Language and Linguistics

1.1 Nature and Properties of Human Language

1.2 Functions of Human Language

1.3 Linguistics

Questions for Review

Books for Reference

Exercises

Chapter 2 Semantics

2.1 Theories Concerning Meaning

2.2 Categorization of Meaning

2.3 Sense and Reference

2.4 Problems in the Study of the Meaning of Words

2.5 Problems in the Study of the Meaning of Sentences

2.6 Analysis of the Meaning of Words and Sentences

2.7 Ambiguity in English

Questions for Review

Books for Reference

Exercises

Chapter 3 Morphology and Lexicology

3.1 Morphemes and Morphology

3.2 Morphological Rules

3.3 Definition and Structure of Words 

3.4 Word-Formation in English

3.5 Changes in the Meaning of Words

3.6 Origins of English Vocabulary

Questions for Review

Books for Reference

Exercises

Chapter 4 Syntax

4.1 Traditional Approach

4.2 Structural Approach

4.3 Transformational-Generative Approach

4.4 Functional Approach

Questions for Review

Books for Reference

Exercises

Chapter 5 Phonetics and Phonology

5.1 Production of Speech Sounds

5.2 Phonemes, Phones and Allophones 

5.3 Phonological Rules

5.4 Phonetic Transcription

5.5 Suprasegmental Phonemes

Questions for Review

Books for Reference

Exercises

            Part 2

Chapter 6 Language, Thought and Reality

6.1 Theories Concerning the Relationship Between

    Language, Thought and Reality

6.2 Sapir-Whorf Hypotheses 

6.3 The Insight the Hypotheses Have Brought to Us

6.4 Comparison of the Thinking Patterns of

    Chinese and English-speaking People

6.5 Criticism on Linguistic Determinism

6.6 Other Views Concerning the Relationship Between

    Language, Thought and Reality

Questions for Review

Books for Reference

Exercises

Chapter 7 Language, Culture, Society and Individuals

7.1 Relationship Between Language and Culture

7.2 Relationship of Language with Society and

     Individuals

7.3 Communicative Competence in Cross-Cultural

    Communication

7.4 How to Acquire the Ability to Communicate

    Effectively

Questions for Review

Books for Reference

Exercises

Chapter 8 Language in Business and Language in Politics

8.1 Language in Business

8.2 Language of Political Oratory

Questions for Review

Books for Reference

Exercises

Chapter 9 A Functional Approach to Language

      Teaching and Learning

9.1 Broad Issues of Policy and Practice in Language

     Teaching from a Functional Point of View

9.2 Linguistics in Language Teaching and Learning

9.3 Framework of Organization of Teaching

Questions for Review

Books for Reference

Exercises

Appendices

Appendix 1 The Constituent Structure of English

         Semology

Appendix 2 The Constituent Structure of English

         Grammar

Appendix 3 The Constituent Structure of English

         Phonology

 Appendix 4 Syllabus for the Course

Model Key to Exercises

Bibliography