{"product_id":"person-cambridge-textbooks-in-linguistics-in-depth-linguistics","title":"Person (Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics) - In-depth Linguistics","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Person (Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics), Anna Siewierska offers a focused, data-driven textbook that will appeal to linguistics students and researchers interested in cross-linguistic morphology and syntax. The single biggest reason to buy is its extensive empirical base: drawing on evidence from over five hundred languages, the book systematically compares how the grammatical category of \u003cstrong\u003eperson\u003c\/strong\u003e operates, making complex typological patterns accessible for classroom use and independent study.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtensive cross-linguistic data:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book uses data from over five hundred languages to support generalizations about person systems and to illustrate variation across language families.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClear coverage of person categories:\u003c\/strong\u003e It explains the three core person distinctions (first, second and third person) and how these interact with other grammatical features such as number and gender.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComparative approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e Siewierska compares person forms in substance and function, helping readers see where languages align and where they diverge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on meaning and use:\u003c\/strong\u003e The textbook discusses not only forms but also how person is used in sentences and discourse, useful for applied and theoretical linguistics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTextbook organization:\u003c\/strong\u003e The material is presented in a way suitable for courses or self-study, with a balance of description and analysis rather than purely cataloguing facts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in morphology, syntax or typology, and for researchers who need a compact, evidence-rich reference on person systems. Instructors who want a textbook that brings broad empirical coverage to classroom discussion will also find it helpful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is less suitable for complete beginners with no background in linguistics who require an introductory textbook on general grammar, or for readers seeking exhaustive reference grammars of individual languages rather than cross-linguistic comparison.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBroad empirical base from over five hundred languages provides strong support for comparative claims.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBalanced explanation of form, meaning and discourse use makes the topic accessible for classroom and research contexts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eConcise, focused presentation that highlights typological patterns rather than overwhelming readers with peripheral details.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe book assumes some prior familiarity with linguistic terminology, so it may require supplementary introductory material for novices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerson (Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnna Siewierska\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrammatical category of person (first, second, third)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCross-linguistic comparison and typology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eData coverage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOver five hundred languages\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended readership\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUndergraduate and graduate students, researchers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerson is a compact, empirically rich textbook that delivers strong value for students and researchers who need a comparative account of person systems. Its wide data coverage and clear focus on how person interacts with number, gender and discourse make it a dependable classroom text and a useful reference for typological work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover specific languages in depth?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book uses many language examples to illustrate general patterns but does not serve as a detailed descriptive grammar of any single language.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior linguistic knowledge required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome familiarity with basic morphosyntactic terms is helpful, as the book is aimed at students and researchers rather than absolute beginners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this work for a course on typology?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Its comparative approach and breadth of data make it well suited to courses on typology and cross-linguistic morphology.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Anna Siewierska","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48598850896091,"sku":"0521772141","price":173.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61vwZfmlzJL._SL1360.jpg?v=1776282045","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/person-cambridge-textbooks-in-linguistics-in-depth-linguistics","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}