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 integrates many exercises into the text.

The author is Professor of Linguistics at Michigan State University. He specializes in phonology, Ethiopian and Afroasiatic languages and linguistics, and adult language learning. He is the author of a comparative dictionary of Ethiopian languages and numerous articles appearing as book chapters or in journals such as Language, the Journal of Linguistics, the Journal of African Languages and Linguistics, Studies in African Linguistics, and Linguistics.