Includes index and bibliographical references.

The book covers a wider range of topics than any other recent work in English. In general it is clearly written; in spots it is even entertaining, which is more than one has a right to expect in a textbook. Hockett has an enviable gift for introducing topics which are novel to the general reader and making them understandable. The recapitulation of new terminology and the exercises at the end of chapters are also a pedagogically commendable device. One senses that this book has grown out of the practice of a stimulating and successful class lecturer.