Grammar, Meaning, and Concepts

"This is a remarkable textbook on English grammar, approaching it not as ‘rules’ and ‘structure’, but rather as it emerges in a principled way from discourse, from the way people all over the world use language in their everyday activities. Linguistic forms are discussed in the context of how speakers and writers assign responsibility, organize thoughts, ideas, and experiences, and convey perspectives, opinions, and information. The presentation is clear and accessible, appealingly and engagingly written, and rich in up-to-date examples from actual language use. The focus on genre and register is welcome, and the practice and review exercises are thoughtful, imaginative, and relevant. Of special note are the book’s orientation to languages other than English and to multilingual students. For professors and students alike, this revolutionary new way of approaching grammar will go a long way towards re-conceptualizing grammar as a fascinating human adaptation to the social, cultural, and physical environment in which they find themselves."
Sandra A. Thompson, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA

"In this richly informed, yet always lively, thought-provoking, and hands-on textbook, Strauss, Feiz, and Xiang make a convincing case that grammar and its major categories should be viewed as a highly adaptable system of meaning-making. Drawing on a multiplicity of discourse types and sources, they engage teachers and learners alike to create sophisticated and critically aware language users in the contemporary world."
Heidi Byrnes, Georgetown University, USA

"Grammar, Meaning, and Concepts is more than just an invaluable resource: its contents and organization give new and veteran teachers a great opportunity to take a detailed look at how grammar affects discourse, and how discourse affects grammar choices."
Eli Hinkel, Seattle Pacific University, USA