# Linguistics texts for the autodidact. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 22, 2006, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-texts-for-the-autodidact/349472 "2006-03-22T19:37:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-texts-for-the-autodidact/349472/1 "2006-03-22T19:37:49Z")
I am interested in learning about linguistics and want to buy some good books on the subject. I took an intro class a billion years ago and still have the text. _Intro_ _to Linguistics by Victoria Fromkin_. Copyright 1988. I plan on using this but would like something a little more up to date to accompany it. My main interests lie in phonology, morphology and just the basic differences in English dialect around the world. (If that help with making a suggestion) I’ve always had a curiosity and I figure I could jump into this and if I really develop a passion, I may go back to school on a completely different career path. Thank you mates! ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-texts-for-the-autodidact/349472/2 "2006-03-22T20:36:31Z")
Not a text per se, but a wonderful book by a linguist which introduces you to serious linguistic concepts (as well as a taste of many very different languages), is **_The Power of Babel_ , by John McWhorter**. ---
**Author:** ![tiltypig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dbc845/32.png) [@tiltypig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiltypig)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-texts-for-the-autodidact/349472/3 "2006-03-23T01:55:53Z")
> [@The Chao Goes Mu](#): > > My main interests lie in phonology, morphology and just the basic differences in English dialect around the world. (If that help with making a suggestion) For phonetics/phonology, I’d recommend a [couple](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0226467643/sr=8-7/qid=1143078683/ref=pd_bbs_7/103-9851680-8207868?%5Fencoding=UTF8) of books by [Ladefoged](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0631198156/sr=8-3/qid=1143078683/ref=pd_bbs_3/103-9851680-8207868?%5Fencoding=UTF8) . [The Story of English](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142002313/qid=1143078811/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-9851680-8207868?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) is a good book about English dialects. [The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521559677/qid=1143078872/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-9851680-8207868?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) is an excellent, broad but shallow general primer on linguistics. ---
**Author:** ![liberty3701](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@liberty3701](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liberty3701)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2006, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-texts-for-the-autodidact/349472/4 "2006-03-26T01:47:22Z")
Well, for general linguistics, there’s always [Language Files](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0814251285/qid=1143337506/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-6890096-6383349?s=books&v=glance&n=283155), though some people really hate it. I’ve never used it much myself, though. If you’re interested in English dialects, I would recomend [American English](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1405112662/sr=8-4/qid=1143337295/ref=sr_1_4/102-6890096-6383349?%5Fencoding=UTF8) or [The Stories of English](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1585676012/qid=1143337364/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-6890096-6383349?s=books&v=glance&n=283155). I also recomend Ladefoged (RIP ☹ ), though [Vowels and Consonants](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1405124598/qid=1143337417/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-6890096-6383349?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) might be an easier read. His [website](http://www.linguistics.ucla.edu/people/ladefoge/) is full of all sorts of fun stuff. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2006, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-texts-for-the-autodidact/349472/5 "2006-03-27T14:04:51Z")
You guys have been a great help. Thanks a bunch! ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2006, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linguistics-texts-for-the-autodidact/349472/6 "2006-03-27T17:57:30Z")
Go to your local uni bookstore or to a used book store and buy a current textbook. Some come with audio disks you can hear or link to a website. :smack: