If you’ve ever wondered why we need concepts like *noun* and *verb* or *word* and *phrase* when discussing language, this book is for you. Deliberately selective in its approach and assuming no prior knowledge of linguistics, *The Language of Language. A Linguistics Course for Starters* explores the nature of language and linguists’ agreed-upon ways of talking about the object of their inquiry. Our focus is on modes of thinking rather than content knowledge. Our goal is to encourage informed thinking about (why) language matters, so that you can continue puzzling about language issues long after you’ve worked your way through this book and its companion website.