forty-three chapters prepared by thirty-five interna- tionally recognized scholars. Each chapter describes an individual language or language group; its his- torical relevance; and its script, grammar, phonol- ogy, morphology, syntax, and lexicon and suggests sources for further reading. Indexing by subject, grammar, linguistic law or principle, and language.
595 Compendium of the world’s languages.
2nd ed. George L. Campbell. 2v.
Routledge, 2000. ISBN 0415202981. $$
403 P371
This second edition of the Compendium, first pub- lished in 1992, was designated an outstanding reference title by Choice. Considerably expanded and reworked, this new edition follows the gen- eral structure of the first. Entries for several hun- dred languages, ancient and modern, are arranged alphabetically; descriptions range from four to ten pages in length. Each entry provides information about the language’s script, phonology, morphol- ogy, and syntax; sample texts are provided as is a bibliography. Scholarly yet readable, this is an excellent resource for any library.
596 Dictionary of languages: The definitive reference to more than 400 languages.
Andrew Dalby. 734p. Columbia Univ.
Pr., 2004. ISBN 0231115695 (pbk.). $
403 P371
This work was designated an outstanding refer- ence source by the American Library Association when it first appeared, in 1999. Its aim is to cat- egorize and describe the 400 major languages of the twentieth century, providing a historical, social, and geopolitical context as well as infor- mation about the language’s origin, dialects, number of speakers, characteristics, and alphabet.
Illustrative specimens include anecdotes and lit- erary quotations. Includes maps, extensive cross- references, glossary, and index.
597 Ethnologue: Languages of the world.
15th ed. Raymond G. Gordon Jr. and Barbara F. Grimes, eds. 1272p. SIL International, 2005. ISBN 155671159X.
$ www.sil.org/ethnologue/.
410 P371
Produced by the Summer Institute of Linguistics, a Christian orga nization based in Dallas, Ethnologue’s aim is to catalog “all the languages known to be spoken in the world today.” Started more than fifty years ago, the fifteenth edition of Ethnologue
includes descriptive entries for 6,912 known liv- ing languages, orga nized by content and country.
Entries include name of language, alternate names, estimated population of speakers, region where the language is spoken, dialects, availability of dictio- naries, and the linguistic classification. A total of 208 color maps display the location and distribu- tion of languages. The free web version provides the same content as the print in an easily searchable database format.
598 International encyclopedia of lin- guistics. 2nd ed. William Frawley, ed.
4v., 2142p. Oxford Univ. Pr., 2003.
ISBN 0195139771. $$$
410.3 P29
This second edition, appearing ten years after the first, highly acclaimed original, was designated an outstanding title by Choice. An excellent purchase for all libraries, it is especially appropriate for those unable to afford the fourteen-volume Encyclopedia of language and linguistics (Elsevier, 2006). Arranged alphabetically and signed, the entries in this four- volume set range from broad topical articles, such as “Sociolinguistics,” to concepts such as cognitive grammar, to descriptions of individual languages, to biographical essays. With contributions from 600 scholars, this work is authoritative, easy to use, accessible, up-to-date, well illustrated, and expertly indexed.
and so forth. There are five appendixes: a list of dictionary and language-related associations; a list of publications that regularly review dictionaries;
an annotated bibliography of books and articles on dictionaries; an annotated list of materials dealing with language and linguistics; and a directory of dictionary publishers and distributors. Indexing is by author, title, and subject.
Encyclopedias and Companions
600 Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language. 2nd ed. David Crystal. 499p. Cambridge Univ. Pr., 2003. ISBN 052182348X; 0521530334 (pbk.) $
420 PE1072
Crystal is a widely published authority on the English language. This work is divided into twen- ty-five chapters covering the history of the English language, English vocabulary, English grammar, spoken and written English, English usage, and learning English. This edition adds a chapter on English online. The attractive layout and gener- ous use of illustrative materials, including photo- graphs, maps, graphs, and diagrams, enhance its readability and appeal for the generalist as well as for students who are beginning their study of lan- guages and linguistics and wish a general overview of the primary discoveries and issues. Appendixes include a glossary of terms, a key to symbols and abbreviations, and references. The bibliography is extensive and up-to-date, and there are indexes for names, items, and topics.
601 Oxford companion to the English language. Tom McArthur, ed.
1184p. Oxford Univ. Pr., 1992. ISBN 019214183X. $
420 PE31
This work aims to provide an “interim report on the nature and use of the English language in our contemporary world.” Part dictionary, part usage guide, part style manual, part grammar, this delightful companion serves as an authoritative, comprehensive, and highly readable sourcebook that illustrates—by means of more than 5,000 alphabetical entries prepared by some 100 schol- ars—the current state of the English language and its many vernaculars.
Dictionaries
principal english-language dictionaries
602 Oxford English dictionary. 2nd ed.
J. A. Simpson and E. S. C. Weiner.
20v. Oxford Univ. Pr., 1989. ISBN 0198611862. $$$
423 PE1625
Oxford English dictionary: Additions series. J. A. Simpson, E. S. C. Weiner, and Michael Proffitt, eds. 329p. (v. 1);
336p. (v. 2); 406p. (v. 3). Oxford Univ.
Pr., 1993–1997. ISBN 0198612923 (v.
1); 0198612990 (v. 2); 0198600275 (v.
3). $$/set; $/v.
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The preeminent dictionary of the English language.
A complete revision of the monumental dictionary first published in 1933, the second edition integrates the text of the first edition published in twelve vol- umes, the four-volume supplement (1972–1986), and approximately 5,000 new words or new senses of existing words. This edition contains general revi- sions and presents an alphabetical list of words in the English vocabulary from the time of Chaucer to the present day, with all the relevant facts concern- ing their form, history, pronunciation, and etymol- ogy. Also valuable for the 2,400,000 quotations that explain the definitions and provide examples of usage over time. Spellings are British, with American spell- ings listed as variants. The volumes in the Additions series offer definitions of approximately 3,000 new words each, incorporating illustrative quotations from around the world. Smaller libraries may consider the Shorter Oxford English dictionary on historical principles.
603 Oxford English dictionary online.
Oxford Univ. Pr. www.oed.com.
Designated an outstanding title by Choice, the Oxford English dictionary online (OED online) is, by everyone’s estimation, a triumphant success. Comprehensive and up-to-date, this online version of the greatest language reference work every compiled includes the contents of the earlier editions and the Additions series and adds new entries and revises older ones at a rate of some 5,000 per year. It is easy to search and a wonderful tool for exploring the richness of English words, their meanings, their usage, their pronuncia- tion, their etymology, and their spellings. The more than 2.5 million quotations are searchable by year as well as by author or source. Tracing the meaning and
usage history of more than 600,000 English-language words, the OED online is an inexhaustible treasure.
The third edition of the OED is being developed and will appear in the online version first.
604 Random House Webster’s unabridged dictionary. 2nd ed. 2230p. Random House Reference, 2001. ISBN 0375425993. $
423 PE1625
The smallest and youngest of the unabridged dictio- naries, this revised second edition of Random House dictionary, originally published in 1966, keeps the work up-to-date. The second edition contains many new entries and new definitions, bringing the total number of entries to 315,000. Adhering to a descrip- tive approach, Random House emphasizes words in current use, including new scientific and technical terms, idiomatic phrases, slang and colloquialisms, and proper names. Stylistic labels employ such restrictive tags as “slang,” “offensive,” “vulgar,” and
“informal,” and the most frequently used meaning is given first. Many entries also note the date of a word’s first appearance in the language. Features include extensive biographical and geographical entries as well as numerous black-and-white illustrations.
Although not as comprehensive as Webster’s third, this is an easy-to-use and authoritative unabridged dictionary for contemporary English.
605 Webster’s third new international dictionary of the English language.
Rev. ed. Philip Babcock Gove. 2662p.
Merriam-Webster, 2002. ISBN 0877792011. $$ http://unabridged .merriamwebster.com.
423 PE1625
The largest and most prestigious dictionary published in the United States, Webster’s third was first pub- lished in 1961, covering English language in use since 1755. An addendum of new words is added to each subsequent printing (e.g., eight pages of new words appeared in the 1966 printing, sixteen pages in 1971, thirty-eight in 1976, forty-eight in 1981, fifty-six in 1988, and so on). Webster’s third excludes biographical and geographical names and is much less prescriptive regarding usage than Webster’s second. Clear, accurate definitions are given in historical order. Outstanding for its numerous illustrative quotations, impeccable authority, and etymologies, Webster’s third is regarded as the most reliable, comprehensive one-volume unabridged dictionary. Libraries owning Webster’s second will want to retain it for its prescriptive usage
labels and biographical and geographical names. The online version, Merriam-Webster Unabridged, incorpo- rates entries from other Merriam-Webster dictionar- ies and adds audio pronunciations for some 100,000 words as well as additional quotations and extensive cross-references.
desk dictionaries
606 The American Heritage dictionary of the English language. 4th ed.
2112p. Houghton Mifflin, 2000. ISBN 0395825172. $
423 PE1628
The most practical and comprehensive of the desk dictionaries, the American Heritage contains more than 200,000 entries; its bright, clear, easy-to-read definitions; numerous illustrations along the side- bars; and extensive illustrative quotations make this one of the most pragmatic tools in the collec- tion. Entries for words, abbreviations, biographical names, and geographic names are interfiled. The fourth edition adds 10,000 new words and 4,000 full-color illustrations and is an excellent selection for the home or the ready-reference collection.
607 New Oxford American dictionary. 2nd ed. Erin McKean. 2051p. Oxford Univ.
Pr., 2005. ISBN 0195170776. $
423 PE1628
Hardly more than a decade old, this major new dictionary from Oxford is already in its second edi- tion. It is the most up-to-date and perhaps the most pragmatic American English dictionary on the mar- ket. Its distinguishing feature is that it provides the most common meaning of each of its 250,000 entry words first. By linking meaning to modern usage norms, it precludes the confusion that exhaustive multiple meanings often engender. The dictionary provides definitions for more than 12,000 proper names and incorporates several handy features that have been dropped from some competitor dictio- naries of late, including a history of the language, a grammar usage guide, a punctuation guide, presi- dents of the United States, the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, chemical elements, weights and measures, and so forth.
608 Shorter Oxford English dictionary on historical principles. 5th ed. William R. Trumble, Angus Stevenson, and Lesley Brown, eds. 2v., 3984p. Oxford Univ. Pr., 2002. Thumb indexed.
ISBN 0198604572. $$
423 PE1625
Part abridgement of the OED and part entirely new work, this two-volume dictionary (A–M, N–Z) brings the scholarship and authority of the OED to the general reader and smaller library. Some 300,000 words are described, defined, and expli- cated. It prefers British pronunciation and usage but remains international in scope, listing words from all parts of the English-speaking world, including South Africa, Australia, and the Caribbean. Like the OED it traces every word back to the first docu- mented use and makes extensive use of quotation to illustrate meaning. It is the most literate and scholarly of the desk dictionaries.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
609 Abbreviations dictionary. 10th ed.
Dean Stahl, Karen Kerchelich, and Ralph De Sola. 1529p. CRC Press, 2001. ISBN 0849390036. $
423.1 PE1693
This edition of a standard reference work now boasts 300,000 entries, including abbreviations, acronyms, contractions, geographical equivalents, initials, nicknames, short forms, signs, symbols, and lists of specialized terms. Entries are arranged alphabetically and numerically. Also included are lengthy lists of items frequently abbreviated or standing for something else, such as airlines, air- ports, eponyms, birthstones, nicknames, signs and symbols, and winds and rains of the world.
Although there is some overlap with the Acronyms, initialisms, and abbreviations dictionary, larger ready- reference collections will want both.
610 Acronyms, initialisms, and
abbreviations dictionary: A guide to acronyms, abbreviations, contractions, alphabetic symbols, and similar condensed appellations. 37th ed. 4v.
Thomson Gale, 2007. ISSN 0270-4404;
ISBN 078767821X. $$$$
423.1 P365
Now in its thirty-seventh edition and contained in four hefty volumes, this standard Gale annual expands 800,000 entries—acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations, and similar contractions—so that their full context is apparent. Entries are arranged alphabetically and often provide descriptive infor- mation, such as language source or sponsoring
orga nization. With the growing sophistication of Internet searching, and the advent of such free tools as Acronym Finder (www.acronymfinder.com), an annual purchase is no longer requisite.
Crossword Puzzle Dictionaries
611 American Heritage crossword puzzle dictionary. 885p. Houghton Mifflin, 2003. ISBN 0618280537. $
793.73 GV1507
Based upon the Chambers concise crossword dic- tionary, this new iteration offers 230,000 puzzle answers intended to serve both classic and modern crossword puzzle styles. It includes 15,000 proper names and arranges all entries alphabetically by subject. This edition includes numerous reference lists such as poets, countries, and capital cities.
612 The million word crossword
dictionary. Stanley Newman and Daniel Stark. 1268p. HarperCollins, 2004. ISBN 0060517565; 0060517573 (pbk.). $
793.73 GV1507
Claiming to be the first all-new crossword puzzle dictionary in twenty years, this source offers more than 1,000,000 answers to 250,000 clues. Included are 3,000 literary works, 5,000 film titles, 20,000 famous people; lists of Oscar winners, Nobel lau- reates, popes, auto makes; and more than 75,000 fill-in-the-blank clues. This is probably the most complete crossword dictionary on the market.
613 Random House Webster’s crossword puzzle dictionary. 4th ed. Stephen Elliot. 870p. Random House, 2006.
ISBN 0375426086. $
793.73 GV1507
The fourth edition of this crossword puzzle stan- dard features 700,000 clues and answers and includes thousands of new words from pop culture.
All answer words are grouped by their number of letters for easy review. This is the most recently published of the three dictionaries noted here.
Etymology and Word and Phrase Origins
Brewer’s dictionary of phrase and fable, see 1405.
614 Chambers dictionary of etymology.
Robert K. Barnhart and Sol Steinmetz.
1284p. Chambers, 1999. ISBN 0550142304. $
422 PE1580
Originally published in 1988 as the Barnhart dictio- nary of etymology, this etymological dictionary focuses on words used in contemporary American English and words of American origin and incorporates current American scholarship. Entries give spelling variations, pronunciation for difficult words, part of speech, definition, and information on word origins.
Written for a wide audience, this is a very attractive, readable work suited for most library users.
615 The Facts on File encyclopedia of word and phrase origins. 3rd ed.
Robert Hendrickson. 822p. Facts on File, 2004. ISBN 0816048134;
0816059926 (pbk.). $
422 PE1689
This popular, highly readable, often humorous, comprehensive etymological dictionary covers some 12,500 words and phrases. Entries range from one line to about a page in length. It includes an alpha- betical index and numerous see and see also refer- ences, and authoritative sources are cited. Written in a nonacademic style, this work will appeal to the general reader curious about the origins of words or expressions used in everyday speech.
616 Oxford dictionary of English etymology. C. T. Onions et al., eds.
1024p. Clarendon Press, 1992. ISBN 0198611129. $
422 PE1580
This authoritative work by one of the giants of English lexicography is now in its fifth printing.
Tracing the history of common English words back to their roots, this etymological dictionary provides the pronunciation, definition, century of origin, and first recording of more than 38,000 English words. It is the most complete and reliable of the etymological dictionaries.
Foreign Words and Phrases
617 The Facts on File dictionary of foreign words and phrases. Martin H. Manser and David Pickering. 432p.
Facts on File, 2002. ISBN 0816044589;
0816044597 (pbk.). $
422 PE1670
This delightful dictionary defines and describes some 4,000 foreign words and phrases, from Abacus to Zombie. Entries include everyday expressions, technical terms, and familiar phrases. For each word or phrase, information on the pronunciation in American English, language of origin, and origi- nal meaning is provided. Sample quotations illus- trate contemporary usage of the word or phrase. An index by language of origin helps one to visualize the variety, richness, and scope of foreign expres- sions naturalized into modern English usage.
618 The Oxford dictionary of foreign words and phrases. Jennifer Speake.
512p. Oxford Univ. Pr., 1997. ISBN 0198631596; 0198610513 (pbk.). $
422.4 PE1582
This dictionary aims to provide a comprehensive record and explanation of foreign expressions cur- rently used by speakers of the English language.
Included are more than 8,000 foreign words and phrases from forty different languages. Each entry defines the word or phrase, indicates common pro- nunciation, provides examples of usage, and indi- cates its language of origin. Changes in meaning are traced over time. An appendix provides a list- ing by language and century of origin of all words included.
Handbooks
619 The writer’s market. F and W, 1922–.
ISSN 0084-2729. $
808 PN161
Very useful information for aspiring and established authors, for example, a listing of fifty literary agents or sample rates for advertising, copywriting, and public relations. Chapters include interviews, the business of writing, literary agents, book publish- ers, Canadian and international book publishers, small presses, consumer magazines, trade journals, contests and awards, a glossary, and indexes. Each listing includes name and address of the publica- tion or company, its editorial needs, and its rate of payment.
Idioms and Usage Dictionaries
620 American Heritage dictionary of idioms. Christine Ammer. 729p.
Houghton Mifflin, 1997. ISBN
039572774X; 0618249532 (pbk.). $
423.1 PE2839
This authoritative dictionary includes nearly 10,000 figures of speech, phrases, clichés, and colloquial- isms; entries are listed alphabetically in boldface.
For each entry there is a clear definition, an exam- ple of use, and an indication of historical origin.
Variant definitions are numbered and ordered by frequency of use.
621 Cambridge guide to English usage.
Pam Peters. 608p. Cambridge Univ. Pr., 2004. ISBN 052162181X. $
423.1 PE1464
This work does not aim to target a particular lan- guage community but rather to address the broad international population of English speakers.
Drawing upon the latest research, it offers two kinds of entries: specific words and phrases and general topics on language and writing. The 4,000 short entries are arranged in A–Z format and pro- vide authoritative information on spelling, punctu- ation, grammar, and style. The longer entries offer analytical discussions of contemporary grammar, speech, and language rules. For those interested in the precise and effective use of the English lan- guage, this is a superb source.
622 Columbia guide to standard American English. Kenneth G. Wilson. 482p.
Columbia Univ. Pr., 1993. ISBN 023106988X; 0231069898 (pbk.). $
428.0097 PE2835
This is a superb addition to our English-language usage tools. Wilson, without being overly prescrip- tive, still advocates linguistic good manners. He presents 6,500 entries, primarily American expres- sions, explaining appropriate uses, pointing out some of the finer nuances between words (e.g., naked and nude), clearly differentiating troublesome pairs (such as disinterested and uninterested), and generally setting the record straight in a delight- ful, easy, and familiar style. This guide to current American usage is accessible, authoritative, and eminently pragmatic.
623 Fowler’s modern English usage. 3rd ed. H. W. Fowler and R. W. Burchfield, eds. 896p. Oxford Univ. Pr., 2004. ISBN 0198610211. $
428.2 PE1628
The title of the modern version of this usage classic (first published in 1926) appears to morph from
year to year; however, the purpose remains pretty much the same. Fowler’s original work, revised by Gowers in 1965, has again been revised for a new generation of English speakers. Burchfield, a distin- guished lexicographer, has in fact produced a rec- ognizably new work, adding numerous entries that discuss recent foibles and perversities of usage. The new Fowler’s provides comprehensive and clear advice on the correct use of the complex commu- nication tool we call the English language. Libraries owning the earlier editions will want to obtain this one as well.
624 Garner’s modern American usage. 2nd ed. Bryan A. Garner. 879p. Oxford Univ.
Pr., 2003. ISBN 0195161912. $
423.1 PE2827
Originally titled A dictionary of modern American usage, this guide offers advice on American English usage through individual word entries as well as short essays on usage and style. Each of the 7,000 short entries provides an example of the usage of the word, an illustrative quotation, and an appro- priate citation. The short essays address topics such as abbreviations, alliteration, etymology, and pronouns. Sometimes referred to as the American Fowler, Garner addresses common American English usage issues, including grammar, syntax, spelling, word choice, and capitalization. The illus- trative quotations are drawn from contemporary sources, such as newspapers and speeches. The first edition of this work was designated an out- standing reference title by both ALA’s Reference Sources Committee and Choice.
Pronunciation Dictionaries
625 NBC handbook of pronunciation.
4th ed. Eugene Ehrlich, Raymond Hand Jr., and James F. Bender, eds.
539p. HarperPerennial, 1991. ISBN 0062730568. $
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This standard pronunciation reference tool for
“general American speech” was originally compiled by James F. Bender in 1943. Listings for each of the 21,000 entries provide spelling and a simpli- fied phonetic respelling to indicate pronunciation.
Included are common words frequently mispro- nounced or difficult to pronounce plus numerous geographical and personal names.