Synopses & Reviews
The Vocabulary of World English is for anyone, particularly college and university students, interested in English vocabulary, but with little or no previous knowledge of linguistics. The book pursues and intertwines four different sets of goals: first, it looks at the vocabulary of a wide variety of areas drawn from basic semantic fields, ranging from "life and living things" to "entertainment, sports, and games". At the same time it pays special attention to words in a number of different kinds of English, especially geographical-national varieties, but also those determined by age, gender, ethnicity, function, field, and style. Furthermore, the most important areas of linguistics which touch on words are introduced. Most central to this is lexicology (the study of words), meaning, and word formation, but also included are a historical review of the sources of English words and several lexical aspects of grammar, as well as brief forays into pronunciation and spelling. Finally, since this book is intended to be an introduction, a great deal of emphasis is placed on clear and accessible exercises (with key) and projects which are intended to familiarize the book's users with resources and techniques that are helpful in the study of vocabulary. An extensive bibliography and a glossary of some 350 terms are included.
Synopsis
The Vocabulary of World English presents an absorbing study of the rich diversity of word use and meaning found within the many varieties of the English language worldwide. Intended for anyone interested in English vocabulary, but assuming no previous knowledge of linguistics, this introductory book pursues and intwertwines four different objectives. Through the use of real eaxamples taken from a wide range of areas, the book explores the vocabulary of basic semantic fields ranging from Life and Living Things to Entertainment, Sports and Games. At the same time special attention is paid to words used in a number of different kinds of English (especially geographical - national varieties, but also those determined by age, gender, ethnicity, function, field and style). The book also provides an introduction to the most important areas of linguistics relating specifically to words, the most central being lexicology, semantics, and morphology. In addition, this text presents a historical review of the origins of English words and several lexical aspects of grammar - as well as making brief forays into pronunciation and spelling.Throughout the book there are clear and accessible exercises and projecs intended to familiarise the reader with resources and techniques that are helpful in the study of vocabulary. An extensive bibliography and a glossary of over 400 terms are included, making this book ideal for anyone interested in English vocabulary, regardless of their prior knowledge of the subject.