Language: reference and general Books

Book SynopsisColloquial Yoruba: The Complete Course for Beginners has been carefully developed by an experienced teacher to provide a step-by-step course to Yoruba as it is written and spoken today. Combining a clear, practical and accessible style with a methodical and thorough treatment of the language, it equips learners with the essential skills needed to communicate confidently and effectively in Yoruba in a broad range of situations. No prior knowledge of the language is required. Colloquial Yoruba is exceptional; each unit presents a wealth of grammatical points that are reinforced with a wide range of exercises for regular practice. A full answer key, a grammar summary, bilingual glossaries and English translations of dialogues can be found at the back as well as useful vocabulary lists throughout. Key features include: A clear, user-friendly format designed to help learners progressively build up their speaking, listening, reading and wriTrade Review'an excellent bridge for an obvious gap in the acquisition of Yoruba ... It is systematic, simple and clear' Oluseye Adesola, Yale University, USA Table of ContentsThe sounds of Yorùbá 1. N’ílé örê At a Friend’s House 2. Ìkíni àti ìpádé Greetings and Meetings 3. Sísörö nípa ènìyàn Talking about People 4. Wíwá ilé láti rêñtì Looking for a Place to Rent 5. Nõkan æjà àti a«æ Market Product and Clothing 6. Síse oúnj÷ Cooking 7. Nípa ìlera About your Health 8. Sísæ nípa ÷bí r÷ Talking About Your Family 9. »í«àpèjúwe ènìyàn àti ìlú Describing People and Towns 10. Wìwá önà Finding One’s Way 11. Títún nõkan »e Fixing a Problem 12. Pípàdé ènìyàn ní ibùdó ækö-òfurufú ní Èkó Meeting Someone at the Airport 13. Lílæ sí orí«irí«i ibi Planning Different Places to Visit 14. Báwo ni ibë «e rí? What’s it like There? 15. Sí«e ìwádìí Getting Information. Grammar Summary. Key to Exercises. Yorùbá-English Glossary. English-Yorùbá Glossary

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Book SynopsisA gripping biography of Charlotte Salomon, and an ode to how art can capture both life's everyday beauty and its monumental horrors

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Book SynopsisThe companion to Rex Ogle's award-winning Free Lunch is a searing account of adolescence in a household torn by domestic violence.

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Book SynopsisA gorgeous reissue of one of the most beloved classics of the twentieth century, published in celebration of Norton’s 100th anniversaryTrade Review"The Norton centenary edition of Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet is a beautiful hardback of an essential text and a great gift to any aspiring writer." -- Anne Enright - The Observer

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Book SynopsisA ground-breaking and timely graphic memoir from one of the most iconic figures in American sportsand a tribute to his fight for civil rights

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Book SynopsisA Spanish Learning Grammar, Third Edition , is an innovative reference grammar and workbook suitable for you, whether you are studying Spanish at intermediate or advanced level.Its straightforward explanations of grammar are supported by examples with contemporary vocabulary, humorous cartoon drawings, and plentiful, varied exercises, helping you to grasp often complex points of grammar in an enjoyable way. Its carefully devised two-part structure mirrors the learning process, allowing you to focus on core knowledge first and enabling you to progress confidently to more advanced knowledge at your own pace.Key features for this third edition include: New drawings which illustrate grammar through real-life scenarios New vocabulary bringing you up-to-date with Spanish in the digital agRe-ordering of the section on verbs, making the tenses easier for you to findTo aid your understanding, this third edition also containsTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Glossary of Grammatical Terms 1 Pronunciation, Accents, Spelling and Punctuation 2 Articles 3 Nouns 4 Adjectives 5 Comparison 6 Numerals 7 Personal Pronouns 8 Demonstrative Adjectives and Pronouns 9 Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns 10 Relative Clauses 11 Interrogatives and Exclamations 12 Indefinites 13 Verbs 14 Present Tense 15 Future Tense 16 Conditional Tense 17 Perfect Tense 18 Preterite Tense 19 Imperfect Tense 20 The Preterite and Imperfect Tenses Contrasted 21 Compound Tenses 22 The Subjunctive 23 Continuous Forms of the Verb 24 If-clauses 25 The Imperative 26 Spelling Changes in Verbs 27 Modal Verbs 28 Gustar-type and Impersonal Verbs 29 Ser and Estar 30 Active and Passive 31 Pronominal Verbs 32 The Infinitive 33 The Past Participle 34 The Gerund 35 Negation 36 Adverbs 37 Prepositions 38 Conjunctions 39 Diminutives and Augmentatives 40 Word Order Verb Tables Key to Part I Exercises Key to Part II Exercises Index

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Book SynopsisThis text introduces university students to the philosophical ethos of critical thinking, as well as to the essential skills required to practice it. The authors believe that Critical Thinking should engage students with issues of broader philosophical interest while they develop their skills in reasoning and argumentation. The text is informed throughout by philosophical theory concerning argument and communication—from Aristotle's recognition of the importance of evaluating argument in terms of its purpose to Habermas's developing of the concept of communicative rationality. The authors' treatment of the topic is also sensitive to the importance of language and of situation in shaping arguments, and to the necessity in argument of some interplay between reason and emotion. Unlike many other texts in this area, then, Good Reasons for Better Arguments helps to explain both why argument is important and how the social role of argument plays an important part in determining what counts as a good argument.If this text is distinctive in the extent to which it deals with the theory and the values of critical thinking, it is also noteworthy for the thorough grounding it provides in the skills of deductive and inductive reasoning; the authors present the reader with useful tools for the interpretation, evaluation and construction of arguments. A particular feature is the inclusion of a wide range of exercises, rich with examples that illuminate the practice of argument for the student. Many of the exercises are self testing, with answers provided at the back of the text; others are appropriate for in-class discussion and assignments.Challenging yet accessible, Good Reasons for Better Arguments brings a fresh perspective to an essential subject.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements1. CRITICAL THINKING: WHAT AND WHY What’s in a Name? Critical Thinking and the Search for Good Reasons Who’s to Say What a Good Reason Is? Good Reasons, Better Arguments and Rationality Rational Discourse: Giving Reasons Communicatively Rational Speech Acts, or Good Reasons for Better Arguments Communicative Norms: Expectations and Obligations Comprehensibility Sincerity Transparent Persuasion: The Goal of Better Arguments A Brief Overview of this BookExercises 2. ARGUMENTS Critical Thinking Skills, Phase 1: Argument Structure and Construction The Argument: Form and Function Arguments and Non-arguments Arguments and Opinions Arguments, Explanations and Definitions Units of Meaning Standard Form for Simple Arguments Enthymemes and the Principle of Charity Standard Form for Complex Arguments Expressing Yourself in Argument FormExercises 3. LANGUAGE Language as Context Definitions: Explaining Meaning Definitions: Arguing Meaning Paradigm Case/Counter-example Genus/Differentia Understanding Conditionals and the Relationship of Implication Language and the Gap between Intention and Communication Ambiguity Vagueness Euphemism and Hyperbole Jargon and Obfuscation Disempowering Language Linguistic Considerations in the Construction of Your Own ArgumentsExercises 4. GOOD ARGUMENTS Phase 2: Evaluating Arguments Arguments, Arguers and Conclusions: Where to Start Your Evaluation Facts, Values and Opinions: Are They All Open to Evaluation? The Normativity of Argument Evaluation What Are Good Enough Arguments Good Enough For? General Criteria of Argument Evaluation Acceptability Relevance Sufficiency Cogency: The Overall Judgement A Few More Words on Expressing Yourself in Argument FormExercises 5. BAD ARGUMENTS Fallacy-Spotting and Building a Better Argument Dubious Premises Premises that Mean Too Much, or Not Enough Premises Bearing Illicitly Imported Assumptions Irrelevance Irrelevant Attacks on the Source of Opinion Illegitimate Manipulation of Emotion Changing the Subject Improper Appeals to Authority Hasty Conclusions and Suppressed Evidence Building a Better ArgumentExercises 6. DEDUCTION Three Modes of Argumentation Aspects of Deductive Reasoning Validity Categorical Logic Translation Venn Diagrams Immediate Inferences Syllogisms Fallacies of Distribution and Other Violations of the Rules for Syllogisms Propositional Logic The Strengths and Weaknesses of DeductionExercises 7. INDUCTION Induction and Reasoning from Observation Enumerative Induction Representative Sampling and Justified Confidence in Induction Reasoning about Causation Types of Causes Inductive Justification and Scientific MethodsExercises 8. PRACTICAL REASONING The Scope of Practical Reasoning Intersubjectivity, Open-endedness and Criterial Reasoning Conductive Reasoning Reasoning from Analogy Communicative Rationality: The Sufficiency Criterion in Practical ReasoningExercises Answers to Selected ExercisesAppendix A: Procedure for Standardizing Complex ArgumentsAppendix B: Procedure for Expressing Yourself in Argument FormIndex

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Book SynopsisInvaluable advice for writing a knockout essay ? for college admissions or self-expression ? that moves readers and reveals insights into the human condition Everyone has a story, and helping people tell their stories has been Nancy Slonim Aronie?s life mission. Building on her acclaimed Memoir as Medicine, this new guide tackles the short personal essay. With warmth and humor, Nancy provides prompts, inspiration, and hard-won wisdom to empower you to write an unforgettable narrative. You?ll learn to begin with an irresistible hook (?kill ?em with the first line?) and employ compelling direct quotes, drama, vulnerability, universal themes, and self-reflection to get readers into your corner. Nancy illustrates her advice with remarkable examples of her own and others? essays. You?ll read about actor Tony Shalhoub?s unlikely canine savior, Kate Taylor?s collaboration with Peter Asher and Elton John in the musical crucible of Los Angeles in 1970, Nancy and her beloved husband?s adventures in polyamory, and much more. In a culture increasingly inundated with generic AI-generated text, a well-crafted personal narrative is more important than ever, a declaration of human connection and meaning. Use Nancy?s secrets to stand out from the crowd and get your one-of-a-kind story onto the page.

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Book SynopsisAre we tired of hearing that fall is a season, sick of being offered fries and told about the latest movie? Yeah. Have we noticed the sly interpolation of Americanisms into our everyday speech? You betcha. And are we outraged? Hell, yes. But do we do anything? Too much hassle. Until now. In That's The Way It Crumbles Matthew Engel presents a call to arms against the linguistic impoverishment that happens when one language dominates another. With dismay and wry amusement, he traces the American invasion of our language from the early days of the New World, via the influence of Edison, the dance hall and the talkies, right up to the Apple and Microsoft-dominated present day, and explores the fate of other languages trying to fend off linguistic takeover bids. It is not the Americans' fault, more the result of their talent for innovation and our own indifference. He explains how America's cultural supremacy affects British gestures, celebrations and way of life, and how every paragraph and conversation includes words the British no longer even think of as Americanisms. Part battle cry, part love song, part elegy, this book celebrates the strange, the banal, the precious and the endangered parts of our uncommon common language.Trade ReviewAn acerbically witty and entertaining survey ... a work of stubborn persistence, or resistance. * Sunday Times *One of journalism's great exponents of English English. -- Peter Preston * Guardian *Throughout his entertaining history, Engel argues for a stout forward defence against this onslaught of "cool" and "fun" and "you guys". -- Tim Adams * The Guardian *Highly entertaining. * Spectator *Engel [hunts] down his prey like a linguistic witchfinder-general ... short-tempered but consistently witty. -- John Sutherland * New Statesman *Praise for Engel's England: 'Wry, rueful, funny, packed with knowledge, and, like all good reporting, entirely personal and subjective, it is simply the most enjoyable commentary on today's England that could be imagined. * Sunday Times *Highly personal and very funny * London Review of Books *The great pleasure in the book - for Engel as much as the reader - is in his love of the entertaining factual nugget * Financial Times *Engel has the perfect light, humorous touch for the task. * New Statesman *Immensely enjoyable... Engel is a wonderfully wry comic writer. * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisIf you can't tell a possessive pronoun from a correlative conjunction, confuse 'disinterested' and 'uninterested' and struggle with the subjunctive, then I Used to Know That: English has the answers. Relearn the essential rules of the English language, from grammar and punctuation to sentence construction and parts of speech. Also helps to improve your spelling and clarifies the vocabulary that often causes confusion. Focusing on simplicity and clarity, this is an accessible yet fun way to revisit the English language while enjoying a walk down memory lane - and remembering the stuff you really shouldn't have forgotten...Trade ReviewBrilliant... In a perfect world there would be a copy of this book in every school child's satchel and on every adult's desk * The Bookbag *Simple and easy to follow, all the key facts about our language are demystified * Parents in Touch *

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Book SynopsisIf you're logofascinated, you are literally spellbound by language.; This surprising compendium of 1,000 facts about words, language and etymology is here to inspire your curiosity and delight in discovery. In Word Drops, you can delve into a smattering of unexpected connections and weird juxtapositions, stumble upon a new or remarkable word, or learn of many a bizarre etymological quirk or tall tale.; - Did you know that the bowl made by cupping your hands together is called a gowpen?; - And speaking of bowls, the earliest known reference to bowling in English dates from 1555, when bowling alleys were banned by an Act of Parliament.; - And that ties in nicely with the fact that the English called the Germans 'Alleymen' during the First World War.; - But in Navajo, Germany is called Beesh Bich'ahii Bikeyah-or 'metal cap-wearer land'.; Word Drops is a language fact book unlike any other, its linguistic tidbits all falling together into one long interconnected chain just like the example above with each fact neatly 'dropping' into place beside the next.; What's more, throughout, footnotes are used to give some informative and intriguing background to some of the most bizarre facts, covering everything from traditional Inuit games to the origin of the Bellini cocktail, from the precise length of one 'jiffy' to what the Romans thought hoopoe birds ate, and from what to expect on a night out with Dr Johnson to Samuel Pepys's cure for a hangover. Want to know the longest palindrome in Morse code, or who The Great Masticator was? Curious to know what Norwegian steam is, or what a jaaaar is? The answers are all here.; For all of the logofascinated among us, this is an immensely pleasurable and unpredictable collection that is guaranteed to raise eyebrows (the literal meaning, incidentally, of supercilious).Trade Review'Very jolly and all fascinating stuff. I'm sure it will solve a lot of people's Christmas present problems. Or it certainly should do.' -- Jonathon Green, lexicographer & author of Green's Dictionary of Slang; 'Fantastic' -- Moose Allain; 'If words were calories, this book would have you breaking the scales. To support my outrageous claim I refer you to urban legends which assert that certain brands of savoury snacks have 'something in them' which makes the brain crave more and more until the whole packet is gone. Whatever that something is, Paul Anthony Jones has imbibed plenty of it before compiling this endearing little book.' --blogger Richard Littledale; 'For the bookish, the wordists, the nerdists, the swots... Paul Anthony Jones has compiled you the most absorbing and fascinating dip-in tome you will find all year ... Word Drops is very much a book to dip in and out of. It's a series of endless (but linked) words, coupled to their origins, meanings and a quantity of footnotes so great that they would put even David Foster Wallace to shame [...] Word Drops is a nerdist's paradise. An intricately researched and elegantly put together collection of wordy nuggets. I challenge you to flick through the book, open it at any page and not find something worth sharing with someone else.' --blogger MadamJ-Mo; 'It's hard to imagine anyone not being charmed by this breezy medley of self-contained yet interconnected miscellany. Once you pick up the string, you'll be tempted to keep pulling till you reach the end, and how quickly that takes may depend chiefly on how often you stop to share its contents with a neighbour.' -- blogger Stan Carey; 'Joy for the language-addicted!' -- Ian McMillan, Radio Presenter, Writer, Man About Town; 'A succinct, charming assemblage of unusual words' -- Greg Jenner, author of A Million Years in a Day; 'Brilliant for anyone interested in the effervescent oddness of English' --Stig Abell, Managing Editor, The Sun

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate gift for wordsmiths and lovers of language: a word for every day of the year; Open the Cabinet to leap back in time, learn about linguistic trivia, follow a curious thread or wonder at the web of connections in the English language.; 1 January quaaltagh (n.) the first person you meet on New Year's Day; 1 April dorbellist (n.) a fool, a dull-witted dolt; 12 May word-grubber (n.) someone who uses obscure or difficult words in everyday conversation; 25 September theic (adj.) an excessive drinker of tea; 24 December doniferous (adj.) carrying a gift; Paul Anthony Jones has unearthed a wealth of strange and forgotten words: illuminating some aspect of the day, or simply telling a cracking good yarn, each reveals a story. Written with a light touch that belies the depth of research it contains, this is both a fascinating compendium of etymology and a captivating historical miscellany. Dip into this beautiful book to be delighted and intrigued throughout the year.Trade Review"A treasure-trove of rare words ... beautifully designed (that shade of blue is wonderful), and perfect either for dipping into every morning to learn a new word of the day, or for reading at a rather more headlong pace, as I found I was doing once I dipped my head into this wonderful cabinet of language trivia" -- Dr Oliver Tearle, InterestingLiterature.com; "Cracking open its beautifully crafted aged-teal and gilded cover is like peeking into an old, mysterious cabinet ... The book's conceit is brilliant, the writing is crisp, and the tales are well-chosen and captivating. Jones never loses sight of the charm-the magic-of strange and forgotten words ... Whether you read through the book day by day or, if you're like me and you can't help yourself, rummaging around the cabinet regardless of the calendar, The Cabinet of Linguistic Curiosities will surely transport you to another time" -- Mashed Radish; "Delightful ... a fun book" -- Sarah's Vignettes; "This is a cabinet full of precious treasure, an etymological gold mine ... Not only is this a book for those that love all things about the English language, Paul Anthony Jones has written a book for the general reader too ... Very readable and can be dipped into as and when you want to" -- Half Man, Half Book; "I'm absolutely adoring this book and think it would make a fantastic gift for any reader or writer" -- Linda's Bookbag; "A treasure trove ... a word of the day, a history lesson, and a fascinating fact book that would be the PERFECT gift for that person who is so difficult to buy for ... I can't foresee a day going by when I won't open this fascinating book" -- 5 STAR review, The Book Magnet; "Fascinating and I think you will agree that it is beautiful. I sat around our table with my husband and two teenage children, flicking through this wonderful book and in between laughing we were very impressed with the history behind each word. I will be purchasing a few copies for Christmas presents this year. It's just brilliant!" -- Chat About Books; "This book has a stunningly beautiful cover and you'll find a real treasure trove of delights inside. As someone who is fascinated by words and where they come from, this was the perfect book for me to dip in and out of" -- Portobello Book Blog; "I would thoroughly recommend this book ... A great Christmas present ... The cover is exceptionally beautiful. It needs to be seen to be fully appreciated, as do each and every one of the entries in this awesome book. I think it's safe to say that this is a book that I will be returning to regularly throughout the year and perhaps be appearing on my top books of 2017" -- The Quiet Knitter; "I started reading these delightful daily doses of etymology last week, and plan to keep the book at my bedside for the whole of the year to come" - Bookish Beck; "The perfect book to dip in and out of" -- Short Book & Scribes; "There's something about words which soothes my soul and to have chance to take a look at words which have fallen out of common use and yet, when seen, still make the utmost sense, I am reminded of those people who have gone before and of the rich contribution they have made to our vocabulary ... Amongst the strange and forgotten words there are some real beauties to be discovered. Some made me smile, others made me nod my head in sage agreement, whilst others made me realise just how beautiful is our language" -- jaffareadstoo.blogspot.co.uk

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Book SynopsisA humorous guide to and phrasebook of Wenglish, the non-standard English used in everyday conversation in South Wales. A hugely entertaining book, taking a tongue-in-cheek look at the grammar, slang and culture of the Welsh Valleys.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThe International Bestseller - Featured on BBC Radio 4 Love it or hate it, the exclamation mark has been with us from Beowulf to the spam email - an enthusiastic history for language lovers! Few punctuation marks elicit quite as much love or hate as the exclamation mark. It's bubbly and exuberant, an emotional amplifier whose flamboyantly dramatic gesture lets the reader know: here be feelings! Scott Fitzgerald famously stated exclamation marks are like laughing at your own joke; Terry Pratchett had a character say that multiple !!! are a 'sure sign of a diseased mind'. So what's the deal with ! ? An Admirable Point recuperates the exclamation mark from its much maligned place at the bottom of the punctuation hierarchy. It explores how ! came about in the first place some six hundred years ago, and uncovers the many ways in which ! has left its mark on art, literature, (pop) culture, and just about any sphere of human activity - from Beowulf to spam emails, ee cummings to neuroscience. Whether you think it's over-used, or enthusiastically sprinkle your writing with it, ! is inescapable.Trade ReviewEnjoyably mischievous ... an invitation to shrug off the prescriptions of the language police and reawaken a sense of wonder * Times Literary Supplement *Fascinating ... carries a punch * The Week *In 150-odd pages, Hazrat examines the [exclamation] mark's origins in the Middle Ages, its journeys in and out of literary fashion, its use in Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Gerard Manley Hopkins, its career in advertising and comics and its apotheosis in the social media age with Donald Trump's screamer showers on Twitter * The Times *Accessibly written, with an academic flavour, and will attract nervous punctuators ... [Hazrat]is firmly on the side of the !, preferring language's "contradictory carnival of meaning" and "joyful jungle" to the "vitriol against exclamation marks [that] abounds in grammars and style guides". As an historian of punctuation, Hazrat must have read many inflexible guides. Who can blame her for loving the liberated !? * Fortean Times *

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Book SynopsisA collection that brings together Spivak’s wide-ranging writings on translation for the first time.Living Translation offers a powerful perspective on the work of distinguished thinker and writer Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, revealing how, throughout her long career, she has made translation a central concern of the comparative humanities. Starting with her landmark “Translator’s Preface” to Jacques Derrida’s Of Grammatology in 1976, and continuing with her foreword to Mahasweta Devi’s Draupadi and afterword to Devi’s Chotti MundaandHis Arrow, Spivak has tackled questions of translatability. She has been interested in interrogating the act of translation from the ground up and at the political limit. She sees at play at border checkpoints, at sites of colonial pedagogy, in acts of resistance to monolingual regimes of national language, at the borders of minor literature and schizo-analysis, in the deficits of cultural debt and linguistic expropriation, and, more generally, at theory’s edge, which is to say, where practical criticism yields to theorizing in untranslatables. This volume also addresses how Spivak’s institution-building as director of comparative literature at the University of Iowa—and in her subsequent places of employment—began at the same time. From this perspective, Spivak takes her place within a distinguished line-up of translator-theorists who have been particularly attuned to the processes of cognizing in languages, all of them alive to the coproductivity of thinking, translating, writing. Table of Contents“Foreword” by Emily Apter “Preface: Earliest Engagements with Translation: Institution-Building” by Aron Aji and Maureen RobertsonPolitics of TranslationTranslator’s Preface to Of Grammatology by Jacques DerridaThe Politics of TranslationCultures of TranslationTranslation as CultureTranslating into EnglishThe Most Intimate Act of Reading“Draupadi”Translator’s Afterword to Chotti Munda and His Arrow by Mahasweta DeviNecessary, Yet ImpossibleQuestioned on Translation: AdriftNecessary, Yet ImpossibleWhat Is It, Then, to Translate?Teaching, Learning, Unlearning TranslationTranslation in the Undergraduate CurriculumScattered Speculations on Translation StudiesTranslating in a World of LanguagesGlobal?Teaching Black Skin“Afterword: Translating the Planet?” by Avishek Ganguly “Gramsci and Spivak: Politics of Translation” by Mauro Pala

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Book SynopsisThe first dictionary of medieval terms intended for the non-specialist with an interest in the medieval world. An interest in the middle ages often brings the non-specialist reader up short against a word or term which is not understood or only imperfectly understood. This dictionary is intended to put an end to all that: it has been designed to be of real help to general readers and specialists alike. The dictionary contains some 3,400 terms as headwords, ranging from the legal and ecclesiastic to the more prosaic words of daily life. Latin was the language of the church, law and government, and many Latin terms illustrated here are frequently found in modern books of history of the period; similarly, the precise meaning of Old English and Middle English terms may elude today's reader: this dictionary endeavours to provide clarity. In addition to definition, etymologies of many words are given, in the belief that knowing the origin and evolution of a word gives a better understanding. There are also examples of medieval terms and phrases still in use today, a further aid to clarifying meaning. CHRISTOPHER COREDON has also compiled the Dictionary of Cybernyms. Dr ANN WILLIAMS, historical consultant on the project, was until her retirement Senior Lecturer in medieval history at the Polytechnic of North London.Trade ReviewWill attract any student and teacher and librarian keen to get a reasonably-priced all-purpose quick reference guide to some 3,000-4,000 terms regularly used in, and often found in, sources from and about the Middle Ages. [...] A dictionary, then, very clear to use, general-purpose as well as a useful desk-source for the expert, and suitable for the academic library where the medieval period is seriously studied. * LIBRARY REVIEW *A superb example of clarity and concision...with a generous and readable layout. * TLS *[Intended] to provide the enthusiast with a guide to medieval language.it succeeds magnificently. [...] It is an invaluable resource. * HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW *Whoever reads about medieval subjects will wish to own this handy and reliable reference work, and all reference libraries should have it. * INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF BIBLICAL STUDIES *A very useful book. * REFERENCE REVIEWS *Has many good points; [and is] a pleasure to browse through. [...] More than fulfils its promise to be of assistance to any non-academic reader of history and as such should be on the shelf of all avid readers of medieval history. * JNL of the AUSTRALIAN EARLY MEDIEVAL ASSOCIATION *This wondrous dictionary...an excellent and accessible publication that would greatly enhance any historical collection. www.randlesreviews.co.uk * . *

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Book SynopsisLeac mhullaigh éachtach é TEASÁRAS GAEILGE–BÉARLA ar obair shaoil an údair, Garry Bannister. Ócáid chinniúnach staire í i leith staidéar na teanga agus a cultúir. Is leabhar tagartha é nach bhfuil a mhacasamhail ar fáil inniu. Taifead cuimsitheach é a nochtann scéimh, solúbthacht, doimhneacht agus stair na Gaeilge, bronnta ar an saol mar thoradh ar an taighde fhairsing chríochnúil atá déanta ag Bannister. Cuimsíonn an Teasáras seo comhchiallaigh, cleachtaí agus nósanna cainte, comhcheangail fhocal, leaganacha logánta agus seanfhocail. Léiríonn na hiontrálacha sa Teasáras seo peirspictíochtaí úra nach mbeifí ag súil leo sa teanga faoi mar a bhí sí inné agus mar atá sí inniu. Is áis an-úsáideach ar fad do stór focal an úsáideora iad na liostaí atá breactha de réir téama ar feadh an leabhair. Anuas ar sin tá cuntas nuálaíoch ar oibriú na Gaeilge nua-aoisí curtha faoinár mbráid i dTreoir Ghramadaí i gcúl an leabhair. Cuireann TEASÁRAS GAEILGE–BÉARLA saibhreas suntasach nua le corpas téacsanna tagartha na Gaeilge. Acmhainn áisiúil, riachtanach, is ea í, agus taisce dhothomhaiste do chainteoirí, scríbhneoirí agus iriseoirí, d’údair, d’aos dána agus do lucht foghlama agus, go deimhin, do dhuine ar bith a dteastaíonn uathu slacht, snas agus snoiteacht a chur ar a scileanna teanga idir labhairt agus scríobh na Gaeilge. IRISH–ENGLISH THESAURUS is the stunning culmination of Garry Bannister’s life’s work and a milestone in engagement with the Irish language and its culture. It is a reference book like no other, a meticulously researched record which captures the beauty, agility, depth and history of the Irish language. Entries include but are not limited to translations, synonyms, usages and colloquialisms, common word combinations and proverbs. Every single entry reveals fresh and often surprising perspectives on contemporary and older usage. An original and innovative grammar guide offers leaner and more accurate descriptions of how the language is used. Lists of thematically grouped vocabulary appear throughout the book as an extremely useful tool for language-building and prose writing. IRISH–ENGLISH THESAURUS is a significant addition to the corpus of reference texts, an essential and indispensable resource for speakers, authors, poets, journalists, students and teachers, and, indeed, for anyone wishing to enrich and develop their spoken and written Irish-language skills. Trade ReviewNíl amhras ar bith nach bhfuil toirt agus téagar sa Teasáras Gaeilge-Béarla a thiomsaigh Garry Bannister. Is breá go deo an leabhar í. -- Seosamh Ó Cuaig * Tuarisc *If a thesaurus is typically a book or electronic resource that lists words in groups of synonyms and related concepts, the Teasáras does this and more. In fact, if anything, it is more like a one-stop-shop for the Irish language or Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Irish But Were Afraid to Ask ... Part of the pleasure of the Teasáras is losing oneself in the endless possibilities of the language, as the headword kickstarts a stream of associations... . A crucial contribution of the Teasáras is showing how a fuller knowledge of Irish offers opportunities for seeing in a deeper, more context-sensitive way. * The Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisRabbi Shimon ben Zemach Duran (1361-1444) was a colourful rabbinic authority in Algiers. In his book, Zohar Harakia, on methods of enumerating the 613 commandments, he summarises the work of previous authorities on this subject, especially Maimonides and Nachmanides. He also presents his own system of enumeration. Thus, his work is a compact introduction to this fundamental subject. The text, first printed in 1515, is written clearly and arranged as a commentary on ibn Gabirol's poetic version of the 613 commandments, which is chanted on Shavuot. This English translation and notes make it accessible to lay readers as well as students of Jewish law, liturgy, and medieval Jewish history.Trade ReviewPhilip Caplan's translation of Zohar Harakia by Shimon ben Zemach Duran is a learned and faithful rendition of an important Jewish religious classic. The work consists of a commentary by a major medieval rabbi on a major liturgical poem by the great Solomon ibn Gabirol dealing with the 613 commandments. Mr. Caplan's translation will be studied and appreciated by anyone who is interested in medieval Jewish halakha, poetry, and liturgy.

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Book SynopsisWith the surge in interest in te reo Mãori in recent years, a range of errors have become common in classrooms and the wider world, many caused by language interference (following the patterns of English rather than te reo). This book hopes to fill that gap with easy-to-follow, fun examples of language errors, providing readers with the correct usages, and explanations in both te reo and English. Ngã Hapa Reo follows the style and format of Hona''s bestselling Te Reo Kapekape: Mãori Wit and Humour (2023).

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Book SynopsisA handy Japanese phrasebook and guide to the Japanese language, Survival Japanese contains basic vocabulary necessary for traveling in Japan.This book contains all the necessary words and phrases for speaking Japanese in of setting. Perfect for students, tourists, or business people learning Japanese or traveling to Japan, it also contains a beginner guide to the Japanese language, allowing for a deeper understanding of Japanese than a typical Japanese phrasebook or Japanese dictionary. The phrasebook is broken into two sections: Common Japanese Expressions and Key Words, and Japanese Pronunciation Guides for Key Japanese Names and Signs. All Japanese words and phrases are written in Romanized form as well phonetically, making pronouncing Japanese a breeze. For example, the word for "hotel," hoteru is also written as hoe-tay-rue. Authentic Japanese script (Kanji and Kana) is also included so that in the case of difficulties the book can be shown to a native Japanese-speaker. Key features of Survival Japanese include: Hundreds of useful Japanese words and expressions. A short Japanese dictionary in the back Up-to-date expressions for the internet, mobile, and social media Romanized forms, phonetic spellings, and Japanese script (Kanji and Kana) for all words and phrases. Tone markings indicated for all words and phrases A concise background and history of the Japanese language. A pronunciation guide for Japanese words including long vowels, double consonants, and accents. A guide to Japanese grammar including word order, questions, singular vs. plural, and formal, vs. informal. Trade Review"Umai! (Nicely done!) De Mente makes Japanese accessible to English speakers." --Bradley K. Martin, former Tokyo Bureau Chief, Newsweek"The book subtitle reflects its goal precisely: to express 1,000 different ideas with just 100 keys words and phrases. If you have absolutely no knowledge of Japanese, this book will come to your rescue." -- Japan Travel blog

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Book SynopsisLittle Red Book of Spelling Learn the fundamentals of spelling and avoid common spelling errors with the help of this compact volume. Little Red Book of Spelling is a book that deals with orthography and the rudiments of spelling. English spelling, unlike in other languages, is based not on the phonetic or word-sound approach alone there are other facts in play too. So be careful about your spelling, for learning to spell correctly is essential for good communication. A confident speller reads and understands efficiently A confident speller has more fun while reading A confident speller helps other people understand their writing better. So get, set and spell it right!

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Book SynopsisThis book discusses and demonstrates the types of English discourse used at academic conferences and offers guidance to prospective conference participants from multiple perspectives. It is a combination of research taken from numerous academic conferences attended and observations made by the author, based on well-established research methods in applied linguistics, as well as a guidebook aimed at students, ESP teachers, and young academics and professionals wishing to upgrade their skills to participate fruitfully in, and contribute to, academic conferences. It offers academic novices and non-native speakers of English in particular much that is new and practical, far beyond the realm of simple ‘presentation tips’. It addresses various topics, such as chairing discussions, poster management, discussion sessions, the TED phenomenon, workshops, and the emerging field of English as a lingua franca. The style alternates between the accessible and practical, and the analysis of the linguistic categories underpinning the discourse: genre analysis, the nature of the specialist discourse community, features of academic spoken discourse, and the presentation as multimodal narrative are all explored. The book includes authentic samples of model speech discourse throughout, along with questions and exercises for deliberation or practice in each chapter.Table of Contents1 Introduction.- Part 1 The external framework of academic conferences.- 2 An 'Age of conferencing'.- 3 The TED factor.- 4 Affective factors influencing conference presentation performance.- 5 'Native' vs non-native English speakers (NES/NNES) and English as a lingua franca (ELF) at Academic Conferences.- 6 Implications of ELF for ESP/EAP teachers, learners, and international academic conference discourse.- Part 2 The conference and the structure of its core speech events.- 7 The academic functions of conference discourse.- 8 Genre and mode in the discourse community.- 9 Engagement and narrative.- Part 3 Academic conference discourse: The research background.- 10 Investigation process and research focus.- 11 Social and environmental factors.- Part 4 Practical ideas and suggestions for effective conference performance.- 12 Academic tenor and formulaic academic phrases.- 13 Conference presentation introductions and openings.- 14 The management of conference presentation outline slides.- 15 Effective conference presentation summaries, conclusions, and closings.- 16 Transition phrases in the conference presentation.- 17 Managing discussion sessions (Q&A).- 18 Intonation, visuals, text, and narrative.- 19 Managing conference presentation and discussion session breakdown (Repair).- Part 5 Academic conference agnates and extra-textual considerations.- 20 Poster sessions.- 21 Symposia, colloquia, and workshops.- 22 The attendee as a conference participant.- 23 Chairing discourse.- 24 The academic conference social dimension.- Part 6 Practical preparations for the conference presentation.- 25 Final-stage tips.

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Book SynopsisPreachers know that understanding Greek and Hebrew can strengthen their sermons. However, years after taking language courses, it becomes challenging to study texts in the original languages, especially when time is limited.This volume offers: The entire text of Ephesians, broken into passages Clearly formatted lexical and grammatical tools needed to study the Greek text A commentary section that helps preachers effectively bridge the gap between reading the Greek text and preaching it Whether one's Greek is beginner or advanced, this series will empower readers to deepen their study of the Greek text and preach engaging, content-driven sermons. This book-as well as the entire Preacher's Companion Series-is a fresh and helpful companion to traditional commentaries and a valuable addition to every preacher's library.

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Book SynopsisEnhance your vocabulary in just 15 minutes a day with 1100 Words You Need to Know. Relied on by students for 50 years! Over the years, thousands of students preparing for the SAT, ACT, GRE, and other standardized tests have relied on 1100 Words You Need to Know as an ideal way to strengthen their word power. With this brand-new edition, test prep expert Richard Carriero provides a fully updated and invaluable resource for students—or for anyone who wants to boost their vocabulary. 1100 Words You Need to Know features a weekly program with six words to learn each day and one day for review. With just 15 minutes a day, you’ll learn everything you need to improve your reading, writing, and speaking skills.This fully revised edition includes: Word lists with definitions in all new thematic grouping Helpful tips on word roots Updated words in context exercises, activities, and quizzes throughout An updated pronunciation guide Online PracticeContinue your practice with 3 online quizzes plus scoring to test your progress

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Book Synopsis'It's fantastic ... Exactly the book that everybody needs...' Simon Mayo_____Sometimes we all need a little reminder that it's going to be okay... Open The Cabinet of Calm to discover a comforting word that's equal to your troubles.The Cabinet of Calm has been designed to be picked up whenever you need a moment of serenity. Just select the emotion listed that reflects whatever you're feeling and you'll be offered a matching linguistic remedy: fifty-one soothing words for troubled times.These kind words - alongside their definitions and their stories - will bring peace, comfort and delight, and provide fresh hope.Written with a lightness of touch, The Cabinet of Calm shows us that we're not alone. Like language, our emotions are universal: someone else has felt like this before and so there's a word to help, whatever the challenge.So much more than a book of words, The Cabinet of Calm will soothe your soul and ease your mind. It's the perfect gift._____From inside The Cabinet Of Calm...'RESPAIR': a word for a renewed or reinvigorated hope, or a recovery from anguish or hopelessness.'WORLDCRAFT': a collective term for the unique skills, wisdom and experience that an older person has amassed in their lifetime.'MELIORISM': the belief that all things, no matter how bad, can always be improved - given enough determination from people willing to improve them.'SYMMACHY': the act of joining or working together to produce a stronger force than could ever be managed individually - especially in order to overcome something that affects us all.

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Book SynopsisClear. Understandable. Carefully organized. Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar by William D. Mounce is the standard textbook for colleges and seminaries. Since its initial publication in 1993 its integrated approach has helped more than 250,000 students learn New Testament Greek.The fourth edition of Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar has been updated throughout based on continuing feedback from professors, students, self-learners, and homeschoolers, making it even more effective for today''s students. Other improvements have been made based on recent developments in scholarship.The key to the effectiveness of Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar in helping students learn is in how it introduces them to the language. Students learn about the features of the Greek language in a logical order, with each lesson building upon the one before it. Unnecessary obstacles that discourage students and hinder progress are removed, such as rote m

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Book SynopsisIf you were to master the twenty languages discussed in Babel, you could talk with three quarters of the world's population. But what makes these languages stand out amid the world's estimated 6,500 tongues? Gaston Dorren delves deep into the linguistic oddities and extraordinary stories of these diverse lingua francas, tracing their origins and their sometimes bloody rise to greatness. He deciphers their bewildering array of scripts, presents the gems and gaps in their vocabularies and charts their coinages and loans. He even explains how their grammars order their speakers' worldview. Combining linguistics and cultural history, Babel takes us on an intriguing tour of the world, addressing such questions as how tiny Portugal spawned a major world language and Holland didn't, why Japanese women talk differently from men, what it means for Russian to be 'related' to English, and how non-alphabetic scripts, such as those of India and China, do the same job as our 26 letters. Not to mention the conundrums of why Vietnamese has four forms for 'I', or how Tamil pronouns keep humans and deities apart. Babel will change the way you look at the world and how we all speak.Trade ReviewEye-opening and thoroughly entertaining ... [Dorren] is wonderful company: chatty, informative, enthusiastic. -- Laura Freeman * The Times *Hugely readable ... Dorren is both an intimidatingly gifted linguist and a wonderfully eloquent writer. You couldn't wish for a better guide to the wonders of the world's bewildering array of tongues. -- Simon Griffith * Mail on Sunday *

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe best book on the Irish language I have ever read so funny, so soulful' Tommy TiernanLoinnir: The sunlight sparkling on the waves, or the merriness you feel after early pints of stout in the morning.When you speak in Irish, every word is a tiny poem that reveals a new perspective. The Irish language is our inheritance. It lives underneath us in the soil, it blows through the leaves on trees and rises from the roots. Hector Ó hEochagáin is on a mission to help us reclaim that inheritance.From beautiful and melodic words like LOINNIR and phrases like CÉN CHAOI A BHFUIL TÚ?' the perfect greeting for when the postman stops by on a winter's morning; to GAFA' a way to say you're so busy you don't even have time to go to the toilet; DAMANTA' when you have an almighty headache or terrible hangover; and SIOCTHA' when it's so cold the grass is crunchy under your feet, rediscover the fun and magic of Irish words you can use every day.The godfather of modern Irish brings new meaning, richness and relevance to our language' Paul Galvin

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Book SynopsisA handy little language aid designed to be carried by Scots Gaelic learners at all times. The booklet offers basic Gaelic grammar rules, as well as everyday phrases and a collection of the most commonly used Gaelic words.

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Book Synopsis'Invaluable - and hugely entertaining ... It is an absolute romp and a must-have for history and fantasy enthusiasts alike' - Eleanor Janega'Endlessly fascinating'- the SpectatorOld English was spoken over a thousand years ago, when every animal was a deor. In this glittering collection of words and animals we find deors big and small, ordinary, extraordinary and delightfully baffling. From walker-weavers (spiders) and grey-cloaked ones (eagles) to moon-heads and teeth-tyrants (historians still don't know!), we discover a world both familiar and strange: where ants could be monsters and panthers could be your friend, where dog-headed men were as real as elephants and where whales were as sneaky as wolves. From the author of The Wordhord comes another delightful dive into the realm of Old English: words and creatures that will change the way you see the world, and the strangest creatures of all - us!

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Book SynopsisWhether users plan to visit Indonesia or are prepping for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Exam, the Indonesian Picture Dictionary will help boost their proficiency quickly!

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Book SynopsisAttenzione!They say that a gesture is worth a thousand words, and when it comes to speaking with your hands, the Italians speak volumes. This quirky handbook of Italian gestures, first published in 1958 by renowned Milanese artist and graphic designer Bruno Munari, will help the phalange-phobic decipher the unspoken language of gesturesa language not found in any dictionary. Charming black-and-white photos and wry captions evoke an Italy of days gone by. Speak Italian gives a little hand to anyone who has ever been at a loss for words.

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