Presupposing no prior knowledge of linguistics, The Handbook of Linguistics is the ideal resource for people who want to learn about the subject and its subdisciplines. Written by globally recognized leading figures, this Handbook provides a comprehensive and accessible account of the field of linguistics. It begins with a general overview that considers the origins of language, frames the discipline within its historical context, and looks at how linguists acquire new data. It then turns to the traditional subdisciplines of linguistics. This authoritative volume provides a broad yet detailed picture of what is known about language today.