This book attempts to deconstruct certain key clusters of Chinese characters and words, centering on themes such as war and peace, kith and kin, male and female, rites and rituals, pleasure and leisure to make them yield fascinating tales about Chinese culture and history in which these words are embedded and which they at the same time encapsulate. The Chinese language, Chinese history and culture are presented as one long woven bolt of silk (for which China has historically been noted), with the written language conceived as the warp while the history and culture the weft. In this process of linguistic exploration, the book shows in what ways the Chinese written language may be said to be unique as well as to reveal, amongst other things, certain aspects of: * ancient Chinese religion, cosmology, philosophy, political theory, law, medicine, astronomy, physics, geography; * their grasp, on the part of the ancient Chinese people, of human reproduction, biology and physiology, psychology, biochemistry, even neurology of the brain; * what constitutes Chinese identity, the core values of Chinese culture, the essential glue holding their society together; * their daily existence, such as their food and drink, the houses they lived in, the furniture they used, their chief modes of transportation, etc. A fascinating look at Chinese language and culture.

Collocations and Action Research is a thorough investigation of both the theory and practice behind improving second language learners' vocabulary and fluency through the teaching of multi-word units of language. Taking these collocations as its focus, this book provides a clear and in-depth description of the cognitive processing language learners go through when producing speech in relation to them. Using the findings of a two-year action research study into improving learners' spoken fluency, Joshua Brook Antle also explores the practical sides of collocations, explaining how the research study was constructed and conducted. Orientating the findings within the larger field of second language acquisition, especially within the L2 classroom, the practical applications of the findings are then presented through a series of pedagogical tasks all focusing on collocations and productive fluency. Providing a template for how to conduct an action research study using both qualitative and quantitative research techniques, Collocations and Action Research will appeal to researchers interested in vocabulary and spoken fluency, as well as language instructors wanting to better understand the nature of vocabulary and spoken discourse.

Intermediate Cantonese is designed for learners who have achieved basic proficiency and wish to progress to more complex language. Each of the 25 units combines clear, concise grammar explanations with communicatively oriented exercises to help build confidence and fluency. Features include: Many authentic examples from contemporary media, including films, advertising, songs and soap operas Clear differentiation between colloquial and more formal speech registers Up-to-date analysis of contemporary Cantonese as spoken in Hong Kong. Suitable for independent learners and students on taught courses, Intermediate Cantonese, together with its sister volume, Basic Cantonese, forms a structured course of the essentials of Cantonese grammar.

The fun way to learn to speak Chinese With more than 1.2 billion speakers across the globe -- and with nearly 3 million in the U.S. alone -- Mandarin Chinese claims the top spot as the world's most common language. If you want to learn this language to get ahead at school or work, or to make your travel to China easier, this is the handy reference you'll want by your side. Chinese For Dummies teaches basic grammar, as well as the necessary vocabulary to make introductions and greetings, use proper etiquette, make small talk, make transportation arrangements, order food and beverages, ask directions, deal with money, shop, access recreation, and handle an emergency. Concentrates on Mandarin Chinese and features new and revised content Includes major updates to all the necessary foundational information needed to speak Chinese Covers grammar, verb conjugations, and pronunciations Offers a refreshed mini-dictionary complete with even more vocabulary Find free conversational audio tracks online As the Chinese economy continues to grow, the importance of Chinese as a trade language will also increase. If you're a student or business professional who has a basic understanding of the language, you'll be poised to surpass your peers when it comes to dealing with international markets. So get started today!

Excellent book. The chapters put together and systematise a lot of material that is often taught in an anecdotal or haphazard sort of way, if at all. Students will learn a great deal from the book and have their confidence in using Spanish considerably boosted as a result. Jonathan Thacker, Merton College, University of Oxford, UK

An invaluable, highly original and methodically sound approach to correcting and eliminating common, yet difficult-to-eliminate errors. Manuel Delgado, Bucknell University, USA

The user-friendly format and page layout makes Speed Up Your Spanish a highly practical reference source for students and teachers. Ma Victoria Garcia Serrano, University of Pennsylvania, USA

False friends, idiomatic expressions, gender and capitalization are just some of the areas that cause confusion for students of Spanish. Learning how to avoid the common errors that arise repeatedly in these areas is an essential step for successful language learning.

Speed Up Your Spanish is a unique and innovative resource that identifies and explains such errors, thereby enabling students of Spanish to learn from their mistakes while enhancing their understanding of the Spanish language.

Each of the nine chapters focuses on a grammatical category where English speakers typically make mistakes in Spanish. Each chapter is divided into sections that classify the concepts and errors into subcategories. Full explanations are provided throughout with clear, comprehensive examples and exercises to help the learner gain an in-depth understanding of Spanish grammar and usage.

Key features:

• carefully selected grammar topics and examples based on the most commonly made errors
• exercises throughout to reinforce learning
• shortcuts and mnemonic devices providing vital learning strategies
• a Companion Website available at www.speedupyourspanish.com providing supplementary exercises as well as audio files.

Suitable both for classroom use or self-study, Speed Up Your Spanish is the ideal resource for all intermediate learners of Spanish wishing to refine their language skills.

Javier Munoz-Basols is an Instructor in Spanish at the University of Oxford.

Marianne David teaches Spanish at the Trinity School in New York.

Olga Nunez Pineiro is Senior Lecturer in Spanish at the University of Westminster.

This rigorous workbook helps you learn when and why to use different verb tenses-with new audio recordings via the McGraw Hill Language Lab app. Beyond learning grammar and vocabulary at the beginner and intermediate levels, figuring out when and why to use certain verb tenses is often a challenge when you're trying to master the French language. In Practice Makes Perfect: French Verb Tenses, you'll find tons of helpful guidance and extensive practice. Ideal for use both as a reference and hands-on workbook, Practice Makes Perfect: French Verb Tenses helps you build your verb skills in more than 300 engaging exercises, increasing your confidence in your ability to choose the precise word. Presented in the student-friendly, proven Practice Makes Perfect format and including comprehensive verb conjugation tables, this is a book you'll turn to often to help boost your confidence in speaking and writing French. Features A clear presentation of when and why to use verb tenses Reinforcement of verb forms through everyday examples covering a wide range of topics 300 varied exercises to test your understanding of every tense Audio recordings of answer key to 70 exercises are available through the McGraw Hill Language Lab app A "record yourself" feature in the mobile app allows you to compare your pronunciation with native speakers NEW: Audio recordings of verb conjugations and hundreds of example sentences

Provides a fresh, simpler, and novel approach to understanding and teaching the use of the intransitivizing se. One simple rule that allows learners to intuitively understand and use reflexive sentences. Contains sample exercises for students at all levels. Can be applied in teaching and learning any second language.

Written especially for students transitioning from GCSE to AS and those working towards the AQA A Level exam, the AQA AS and A Level German Grammar & Translation Workbook can be used for homework, revision and independent study. It includes thorough revision of key grammar points and embedded translation practice, giving students confidence in language manipulation skills when meeting the rigorous demands of the 2016 specification. Please note: If you're taking the Edexcel, WJEC or Eduqas exam, please search for AS and A Level French Grammar and Translation Workbook edition of this workbook.

An unmissable collection of eight unconventional and captivating short stories for young adult and adult intermediate learners of French. Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work - and you will too! - Barbara Oakley, PhD, Author of New York Times bestseller A Mind for Numbers Short Stories in French for Intermediate Learners has been written especially for students from a low-intermediate to intermediate level, designed to give a sense of achievement, and most importantly - enjoyment! Mapped to B1-B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages, these eight captivating stories will both entertain you and give you a feeling of progress when reading. What does this book give you? * Eight stories in a variety of exciting genres, from science fiction and crime to history and thriller - making reading fun, while you learn a wide range of new vocabulary * Controlled language at your level, to help you progress confidently * Realistic spoken dialogues, to help you learn conversational expressions and improve your speaking ability * Accessible grammar so you learn new structures naturally, in a stress-free way * Beautiful illustrations accompanying each story, to set the scene and support your understanding * Pleasure! Research shows that if you're enjoying reading in a foreign language, you won't experience the usual feelings of frustration - 'It's too hard!' 'I don't understand!' With intriguing plots that will spark your imagination and keep you reading, Short Stories in French for Intermediate Learners will take your grasp of French to the next level with key features to support and consolidate your progress, including: * A glossary for bold-face words in each text * A bilingual word list * Full plot summary * Comprehension questions after each chapter. As a result, you will be able to focus on enjoying reading, delighting in your improved range of vocabulary and grasp of the language, without ever feeling overwhelmed. From science fiction to fantasy, to crime and thrillers, Short Stories in French for Intermediate Learners uses reading as the perfect tool to not only delight in learning French, but to accelerate your journey towards fluency. Use the code inside the book and ebook to access the free bonus story and the discounted audiobook on our Language Readers Library site or on the Language Readers app.

Learn Japanese in no time with Paul Noble's tried-and-tested method. Ever tried to learn Japanese and found it too hard? Bestselling language coach Paul Noble has a quick and easy way to get you back on track with his unique tried-and-tested method. Keeps things simple with three basic rules; don't skip anything, don't try to memorize anything and cover up to test yourself. A fun, jargon-free way to learn Easy-to-understand Japanese pronunciation PROVEN to work; Paul can teach anyone a language, even people who think they're incapable Paul's course teaches you how to speak Japanese more effectively, giving you the building blocks to form a huge range of conversations. This is a practical way to learn the aspects of language that you'll actually need and use; from booking a hotel room to navigating a menu, Paul will effortlessly build your confidence and give you the tools to handle any vacation situation. You will unlock a range of vocabulary you already know. There is nothing so complicated in foreign languages that it cannot be made simple." Paul Noble A quick, easy and fun way to unlock your basic language skills. Perfect for beginners, this book will give you all the information you need to build basic conversations and get by on your travels.

Intermediate Dutch is designed for learners who have achieved a basic proficiency and wish to refine their knowledge of grammatical structures. This Workbook, along with its companion volume Basic Dutch, provides clear and concise summaries of the essential points of Dutch grammar as well as opportunities to practice using the structures of the language. Building on the lessons of Basic Dutch, each of the twenty-four units presents a grammatical topic with an introduction and overview, followed by contextualized exercises to reinforce learning. Features include: a clear accessible format many useful language examples abundant exercises with a full answer key frequent references to English grammar an appendix on irregular verbs an index of grammatical keywords. Suitable for independent learners and students on taught courses, Intermediate Dutch, together with its sister volume Basic Dutch, forms a structured course in the essentials of Dutch grammar.

This book is a detailed study of the possessive semantic space within the framework of construction grammar. Using corpus data from Old Church Slavonic and Old Russian, the book uses semantic maps to document the relationship between form and meaning in a set of semantically closely related syntactic constructions that can all express adnominal possession and all partially overlap. The book also traces the development of these constructions from the earliest Slavic attestations towards Modern Russian, thus also using the semantic maps as a diachronic tool. This approach results in a much improved analysis of the data at hand: The competing possessive constructions are treated as partly synonymous constructions in the same semantic space. Changes are then seen to follow paths in this space. The constructionist perspective also allows discerning the relative contributions of the possessor nominal, the possessee nominal and properties of the constructions themselves. The book is a contribution to Slavic historical linguistics, to the general understanding of adnominal possession and to forwarding functionalist approaches to syntactic change.

The Accurate Use of Chinese: Practical Sentence Structures and Word Usage for English Speakers is a unique learning resource for learners of Chinese who are English speakers. The primary goal is twofold: to help these learners leverage their existent knowledge in English and navigate the Chinese system with fewer obstacles; and also to help them prevent errors of which the underlying cause may be English. This is done through comparisons of selected grammar topics, language rules and word usages between the two languages. Grammar topics in English serve as the comparison points from which learners can gain a deeper understanding of the comparable, but differing structures in Chinese. The book's comparative approach is unique and innovative, designed to build a more nuanced and instinctive approach to grammar. A valuable resource for beginners to advanced learners and instructors of Chinese, the book contextualizes grammar structures and provides in-depth information not covered in Chinese language textbooks.

Antoine Fabre d'Olivet (December 8, 1767-March 25, 1825) was a French author, poet, and composer whose biblical and philosophical hermeneutics in?uenced many occultists, such as Eliphas Lvi and Gerard Encausse (Papus), and Ren Gunon. D'Olivet spent his life pursuing the esoteric wisdom concealed in the Hebrew scriptures, Greek philosophy, and the symbolism of many ancient cultures as far back as ancient India, Persia, and Egypt. His writings are considered classics of the Hermetic tradition. His best known works today are his research on the Hebrew language, the present volume (The Hebraic Tongue Restored), his translation and interpretation of the writings of Pythagoras (The Golden Verses of Pythagoras), and his writings on the sacred art of music. In addition to the above works, Hermetica has published in consistent facsimile format for its Collected Works of Fabre d'Olivet series Cain and The Healing of Rodolphe Grivel, as well as Hermeneutic Interpretation of the Origin of the Social State of Man and the Destiny of the Adamic Race. D'Olivet's mastery of many ancient languages and their literatures enabled him to write (in the time of Napoleon) this extraordinary text which remains a landmark investigation of the deeper esoteric undercurrents at work in the history of culture. In this prodigious work, which first appeared in 1815, Fabre d'Olivet goes back to the origin of speech and rebuilds upon a basis of truly colossal learning the edifice of primitive and hieroglyphic Hebrew, bringing back the Hebraic tongue to its constitutive principles by deriving it wholly from the sign, which he considers the symbolic and living image of the generative ideas of language. Fabre d'Olivet had found that what is called today the Hebraic tongue is only a colorless simulation of the tongue of the mysteries, and that in finding again this mysterious language one would hold at last the key of all cosmogonies. Drawing upon the resources acquired by his exhaustive studies of Chinese, Sanskrit, Samaritan, Chaldaic, Syriac, Arabic, and Greek, he restored the tongue of the mysteries. Part First: Introductory Dissertation, Hebraic Grammar, and Series of Hebraic Roots. Part Second: Preliminary Discourse and Cosmogony of Moses.

The book is dedicated to the blessed memory of Prof. Zvia Breznitz, whose groundbreaking research has made a tremendous impact on the understanding of fluency in reading. The book presents a multidimensional perspective of recent research and reviews on fluency in reading. The first part presents recent brain-imaging findings from studies into the neurobiological basis of reading, as well as cognitive and language studies exploring the underlying factors of fluency in reading and its development. The second part comprises reviews of intervention studies that address reading ability, and in particular, fluency in reading. The book provides a unique multilingual perspective on reading research by including studies of readers of different orthographies and speakers of different languages. Both scientists exploring the different aspects of reading and language, and clinicians of reading intervention will find this book not only of great interest but extremely useful in its clear and in-depth presentation of current reading research.

Praise for A Grammar of New Testament Greek: "The most comprehensive account of the language of the New Testament ever produced by British scholars."--The Expository Times>

NorthStar, Fifth Edition is an integrated-skills English course that empowers adult and young adult English language learners to achieve their academic and personal goals. Current and thought-provoking topics promote language development and critical thinking skills. Building on the success of previous editions, this new fifth edition engages and motivates students with new and updated content. What is new in the fifth edition? - New and updated content with a new theme keeps students motivated. - The new design and imagery bring the activities to life. - Learning outcomes are created using the Global Scale of English (GSE) so students can see their progress more easily. - Every unit offers note-taking practice and writing skill development. - Scaffolded critical thinking activities are clearly marked to help students develop their academic skills. - Academic Word List words are highlighted to help students identify essential vocabulary. - New and updated activities in MyEnglishLab provide additional practice online. - ExamView Test Generator allows teachers to customize assessments. - Students can complete activities, listen to audio, and watch video on the go with the Pearson Practice English App.

This book is a selection of graded Japanese readings written in modern Japanese. An excellent way to learn Japanese, A Japanese Reader is designed for the foreign student of Japanese who is interested in attaining and developing proficiency in reading Japanese, the style of which is in current use in books, magazines, and newspapers in Japan. It also includes authentic excerpts from works by 20th-century Japanese masters Mishima, Akutagawa, Kawabata, and others. Although A Japanese Reader supposes some acquaintance with the spoken Japanese language, it does not assume any knowledge of written Japanese and starts from and very beginning, advancing in graded readings up through quite difficult materials. Learning the modern Japanese written language is by no means a difficult task for the student of the Japanese language as it is often made to appear. The most important thing in such a study is to get yourself started in the correct direction--after that, the progress you make and the eventual proficiency you will gain in reading (and writing) the language are limited only by the amount of time and effort you are able or willing to devote to the task. Attention has been given throughout the volume to grading materials in the order of progressive difficulty, though in many cases familiarity on the part of a student with the subject matter involved may well make a particular selection somewhat easier for him than others further on in the book. Partly to assist in the understanding of the reading selections and partly because it is felt that few students will wish to become proficient in reading Japanese and still remain uninterested in Japanese culture and cultural history, an attempt has also been made to indicate where possible significant collateral readings available in English, especially for some of the sections which deal with distinctive aspects of Japanese life and culture. Lessons 1 through 17 deal with the essentials of the Japanese writing system, as it is used in Japan today. Lessons 18 through 30 deal with building a working knowledge of Japanese grammar and introducing the Japanese system of writing. Lessons 31 through 38 are selections of intermediate difficulty and largely deal with Japanese life and customs. Included are readings of Japanese literature, archaeology, ceramic art, painting, Buddhism, the theater, and political science and philosophy. Lessons 48 through 59 are of increasing difficulty and include criticisms, resumes, a short text from Meiji and Taisho literature, and excerpts from important Japanese novels. Lessons 60 through 75 are of advanced difficulty and provided further readings with a considerable variety of content including Sinology, Zen Buddhism, Shinto, Christianity, newspapers, economics and finance, and Japanese government policies.

Your first-class ticket to building better Italian language skills-and appreciating the diversity of Italian-speaking culture! From the bestselling Read & Think series, this fully illustrated premium third edition of Read & Think Italian brings the Italian language to life! In addition to introducing, developing, and growing key vocabulary, this book gives you an insider's look at the exciting diversity of life and culture in Italy-from a typical Italian workday and Italian wedding traditions to the glamorous world of Italian fashion-with city tours of Rome, Venice, Naples and Verona along the way. Including more than 100 engaging articles written by native Italian speakers, each one provides a bilingual glossary on the same page, allowing you to learn without stopping to look up new or unfamiliar words. Each chapter contains several exercises to reinforce comprehension. This edition features streaming audio recordings of 35 readings (more than 2 hours), supported by the McGraw-Hill Language Lab app. Read & Think Italian, Premium Third Edition features: * New articles reflecting the current aspects of life in Italy * New and expanded materials in the McGraw-Hill Language Lab app (free online and via mobile) * App includes flashcards of more than 7,000 vocabulary terms * App includes audio recordings of 35 readings (2+ hours)

The main author, Claudia Ross, has learned Chinese as a second language herself and understands the difficulties non-native speakers face. The volumes in this series are unique for the pedagogical perspectives and techniques they use in terms of teaching Chinese students whose native language is English. Presents a principled and pedagogically purposeful use of pinyin. The unique approach to character retention involves the support but gradual elimination of pinyin. Most textbooks provide pinyin and characters together throughout. Studies have shown that if pinyin is presented students continue using pinyin as a crutch. This course supports students through the transition beyond the reliance on pinyin to authentic reading of characters. A simple structure with just one textbook and one workbook for each level with free access to the companion website.

The book series Beihefte zur Zeitschrift fur romanische Philologie, founded by Gustav Groeber in 1905, is among the most renowned publications in Romance Studies. It covers the entire field of Romance linguistics, including the national languages as well as the lesser studied Romance languages. The editors welcome submissions of high-quality monographs and collected volumes on all areas of linguistic research, on medieval literature and on textual criticism. The publication languages of the series are French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Romanian as well as German and English. Each collected volume should be as uniform as possible in its contents and in the choice of languages.

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Exam Board: AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas & CCEA Level: AS/A-level Subject: Modern Languages First Teaching: September 2016 First Exam: June 2017 Literature analysis made easy. Build your students' confidence in their language abilities and help them develop the skills needed to critique their chosen work: putting it into context, understanding the themes and narrative technique, as well as specialist terminology. Breaking down each scene, character and theme in Der Besuch der alten Dame (The Visit), this accessible guide will enable your students to understand the historical and social context of the play and give them the critical and language skills needed to write a successful essay. - Strengthen language skills with relevant grammar, vocab and writing exercises throughout - Aim for top marks by building a bank of textual examples and quotes to enhance exam response - Build confidence with knowledge-check questions at the end of every chapter - Revise effectively with pages of essential vocabulary and key mind maps throughout - Feel prepared for exams with advice on how to write an essay, plus sample essay questions, two levels of model answers and examiner commentary