This comprehensive introduction to the Japanese language consists of six parts. Following the introductory section, it explores the Japanese lexicon, grammatical foundations, major clause types, clause linkage, and language usage. The discussion of formal and structural properties of Japanese such as sound structure, vocabulary and grammar assist readers as they gain insight into historical and sociocultural aspects of Japanese; some are compared with those of English-speaking nations. An ideal choice for instructors, the book includes twenty-eight chapters, sufficient for approximately ninety hours of hands-on instruction. Each topic has been rigorously selected based on the author's experience of more than two decades teaching Japanese linguistics. The book's breadth and depth make it highly appropriate for learners of the Japanese language, for linguistics students interested in Japanese, and for researchers interested in Japanese linguistics. Online resources include exercises and supplementary multimedia materials to enhance the reader's comprehension and enjoyment.

Yoko Hasegawa is Professor of Japanese Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley.

Part I. Introduction: 1. Typological and historical overview; 2. Dialects; 3. Sound system; 4. Writing system; Part II. Lexicon: 5. Vocabulary; 6. Word structure; Part III. Grammatical Foundations: 7. Grammatical relations and case marking; 8. Subjects and topics; 9. Tense, aspect, and taxis; Part IV. Major Clause Types: 10. Measurement and comparison; 11. Causatives; 12. Passives; 13. Benefactives; 14. Noun modification and complementation; 15. Nominalization; Part V. Clause Linkage: 16. Temporal clauses; 17. Causal and concessive clauses; 18. Conditional clauses; Part VI. Pragmatics (Language Usage): 19. Speech acts; 20. Politeness and honorifics I; 21. Politeness and honorifics II; 22. Speech style shift; 23. Sentence-final particles; 24. Modality and evidentiality; 25. Backchanneling; 26. Demonstratives; 27. Represented speech; 28. Gendered speech.