Since its inception, Language Files has become one of the most widely adopted, consulted, and authoritative introductory textbooks to linguistics ever written. The scope of the text makes it suitable for use in a wide range of courses, while its unique organization into student-friendly, self-contained sections allows for tremendous flexibility in course design.

The eleventh edition has been revised, clarified, and updated in many places. This edition includes an all-new syntax chapter, new files on language and culture and on writing systems, restructured semantics files, and many new examples, exercises, and activities. Additional readings have been added to all chapters, and the number of cross-references among chapters has been increased. In addition, the accompanying Language Files webpage has links to online resources and websites related to language and linguistics that instructors and students may find interesting.