This book is intended for use in conjunction with an introductory text on linguistics and language study, for beginning students of linguistics, or as a source of information for more advanced students who wish to become familiar with many of the issues that have concerned linguists in recent years. The variety of issues covered in this volume are divided into the following chapters: (1) "Language and Linguistics"; (2) "The Physical Context"; (3) "The Psychological Context"; (4) "The Personal Context"; (5) "The Functional Context"; (6) "The Social Context"; (7) "The Developmental Context"; (8) "The Biological Context"; (9) "The Historical Context"; and (10) "Language in Context." The discussion of these topics is non-technical, but presupposes some knowledge acquired from an introductory text. Further references are provided at chapter ends and in the bibliography. The central theme of the book is that language study involves more than the study of technical linguistics, and that linguistic issues are related to many other issues in the world. (Author/AM)