This book is a straightforward introduction to linguistics - the systematic study of language which attempts to answer two fundamental questions: "what is language?" and "how does language work?". The author explains the basic concepts and essential terminology with examples drawn mainly from English. Sound patterning, syntax and meaning - the inner core of linguistics - are discussed in simple terms, as are the rapidly growing areas of pragmatics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics and stylistics. The book also deals with language and linguistic typology. In its final section, it outlines Chomsky's transformational grammar, including information on his "Minimalist Program".