"This is a new kind of textbook for courses in introductory linguistics. It makes clear what is important or essential, and omits what is not. It is strictly selective, highly structured, focused, to-the-point, and informative. It presents material in a way that mirrors the structure of a typical semester of teaching and will meet both the needs of the busy student who wants to get straight to the point and the instructor looking for a textbook which both identifies key material and integrates it with numerous exercises to engage the student in active learning."--BOOK JACKET.