This introduction to Japanese linguistics is designed to introduce students to all of the main areas of the subject. What makes this book distinct from other textbooks on Japanese linguistics is that linguistics is introduced by means of authentic texts which students might encounter in contemporary Japan. The book covers: * Speech sounds and sound structures * Japanese vocabulary * Writing in Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana and Roman letters * Word structures, ideograms, morphemes and compounding * Sentence structure * Word meaning Each chapter contains an explanation of the key concepts of Japanese linguistics, followed by activities, which are designed to promote the students' active understanding of the forms and functions of the language in authentic texts. This textbook will be an essential introduction to Japanese linguistics for advanced undergraduates, and postgraduates, studying either Japanese language, or linguistics. The most important strengths of this volume seem to lie in its efforts to incorporate the needs of the readers and students using this book...In the past, general Japanese linguistics textbooks were apt to focus on pursuing the excellence in theoretical caliber without adequately addressing the students' motivation and interest. This volume, however, appears to be the first to pay necessary attention to and capitalize on the readers' motivation to learn.