Routledge English Language Introductions cover core areas of language study and are one-stop resources for students. Assuming no prior knowledge, books in the series offer an accessible overview of the subject, with activities, study questions, sample analyses, commentaries and key readings - all in the same volume. The innovative and flexible 'two-dimensional' structure is built around four sections - introduction, development, exploration and extension - which offer self-contained stages for study. Each topic can be read across these sections, enabling the reader to build gradually on the knowledge gained. Child Language: provides a comprehensive overview of language acquisition in children, introduces students to key theories and concerns such as innateness, the role of input and the relation of language to other cognitive functions, teaches students the skills needed to analyze children's language, includes sections on the bilingual child and atypical language development, provides classic readings by key names in the field, such as Brian MacWhinney, Richard Cromer, Jean Aitchison and Eve Clark.