This volume explores objectively the essential characteristic of nine twentieth-century linguistic theories with the theoretical variant for discussion based on one closely representative of work within a given approach or usually associated with the name of the theory. First, the theory of Ferdinand de Saussure is discussed based on his book, "Course in General Linguistics." Following that is a chapter commenting on the theory of language suggested by Louis Hjelmslev, based on his "Prolegomenta to a Theory of Language." Chapter four examines the theory developed by Leonard Bloomfield in 1926 and 1933. A discussion of post-Bloomfieldian theory follows in chapter five. Tagmemic theory based primarily on Pike's "Language in Relation to a Unified Theory of the Structure of Human Behavior" is presented in chapter six. The Prague School theory is discussed in chapter seven and Firthian linguistics of the "London School" of thought is presented in chapter eight. The remaining two chapters are given to discussions of stratificational grammar theory of language developed primarily by the work of Sydney Lamb and transformational generative grammar theory as presented in Chomsky's "Aspects of the Theory of Syntax." (HOD)