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Loading... The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Languageby David Crystal
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will love Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. This is an interesting book packed with everything you ever wanted to know about the English language and a lot you didn't. Some of it is divided chronologically, some topically, but it is all covered somewhere. Also a very helpful book if you are just two inches short of reaching that light bulb . . . . ( )A beauty and a joy If you want to know anything at all about English grammar, this is the book to have. There are so many interesting stories and histories about words and phrases we use in the English language. Even if you're not a grammar geek, you would find something interesting in here. Wonderful book. You can open the book in random and start reading immediately. After that you are hooked. The text is well written and the variety of topics is amazing. Nice book to own, if you want to learn more about the English language, than what is taugh at school. no reviews | add a review
Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0521401798, Hardcover)English is arguably the nearest thing we have to a world language, and yet it is a language with a wealth of varieties, dialects, and traditions, all developing in different ways and at different speeds. This book is a superbly written and illustrated exploration of the history, structure, and use of English throughout the world. World-renowned linguist and author, David Crystal, explores the many facets and varieties of the English language, bringing life to this large and complex subject. He begins with the origins of English in Anglo-Saxon times and follows the growth of the language to the present. Every major English-speaking country is included, and the book abounds with insights into how English evolved and how it works. The author pays particular attention to the use of language in literature and how it permeates humor. He allows language to "speak for itself" by using quotations, photographs, newspaper clippings, poems, advertisements, cartoons, and many other types of illustrative material that vividly complement his narrative. Author Crystal systematically covers the structural features of English, and includes a complete description of grammar, a summary of pronunciation and writing systems, and a thorough treatment of the size and complexity of vocabulary. He explains technical aspects in simple and accessible terms and includes a glossary to assist the reader with unclear language terminology. Highly visual with striking color illustrations, panels and boxed features throughout, this book is fascinating reading for the widest possible audience. David Crystal is the author of The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language (CUP, 1987) and the editor of The Cambridge Encyclopedia (CUP, 1990, 1994).(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:08 -0400) The first test round has been closed. Visit the Open Shelves Classification group for details. |
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