Our contemporary media and knowledge society is paying steadily more attention to reading, reading comprehension, and reading competency. Especially since the PISA study in 2000, these issues have been the focus of both political and popular discussion. Reading: A Handbook is based on the latest research findings in neurophysiology, psycholinguistics, education, sociological communications theory, and the book sciences."

Although the legends of Arthur have been popular throughout Europe from the middle ages onwards, the earliest references to Arthur are to be found in Welsh literature, starting with the Welsh-Latin Historia Brittonum which dates from the ninth century. By the twelfth century Arthur was a renowned figure wherever Welsh and its sister languages were spoken. O. J. Padel provides an overall survey of medieval Welsh literary references to Arthur and emphasizes the importance of understanding the character and purpose of the texts in which allusions to Arthur occur. Texts from different genres are considered together and shed new light on the use which different authors make of the multifaceted figure of Arthur, from the folk legend associated with magic and animals to the literary hero, soldier and defender of country and faith. Other figures associated with Arthur, such as Cai, Bedwyr and Gwenhwyfar, are also discussed. Arthur in Medieval Welsh Literature is an important and revealing contribution to Arthurian studies and will appeal to anyone interested in understanding more about the legends of Arthur and their sources in medieval Welsh tradition.

Ausgangspunkt der Untersuchung ist die Blutstropfenszene im "Parzival" Wolframs von Eschenbach. Die in dieser Szene geschilderten Wahrnehmungs- und Erkenntnisprozesse werden vor dem Hintergrund der fruhscholastischen Wahrnehmungs- und Erkenntnistheorie interpretiert. In einem zweiten Schritt der Untersuchung wird allgemeiner nach der Bedeutung von Wahrnehmung und Erkenntnis in Wolframs Dichtung gefragt. Dieser Frage wird zunachst auf der Handlungsebene und dann auf der Erzahlerebene nachgegangen. Auf der Handlungsebene geht es um eine Neuinterpretation der Parzivalgeschichte unter dem Gesichtspunkt der beschrankten Wahrnehmungsfahigkeit des Helden. In Auseinandersetzung mit der bisherigen Forschung werden wichtige Stationen der Handlung (Kindheit in Soltane, Frageversaumnis in Munsalvaesche, Begegnung mit Trevrizent) neu beleuchtet. Auf der Erzahlerebene geht es darum, die Selbstdarstellung des Erzahlers als Analphabet (ine kan decheinen buochstap) vor dem Hintergrund der zeitgenoessischen Diskussion uber den Wert der Wissenschaft und die Moeglichkeit der Wahrheitserkenntnis zu wurdigen. Das fuhrt schliesslich zum Problem der Poetik des Parzivalromans.

Big dog Sam is Biscuit's newest friend. Biscuit wants to do everything that Sam does. But it's hard for a little puppy to keep up with such a big dog. Full color.

The Routledge Modern Greek Reader has been specially designed for post-beginners to advanced learners of Greek. Written by an experienced instructor, this innovative reader offers both students and teachers of Modern Greek the pedagogical tools to utilise richly textured folktale material in a language class. Students can develop their linguistic skills while simultaneously engaging with the broader social and cultural context of the language. Features include: Twenty five readings organised according to level of difficulty, beginning with easy short stories and progressing onto more advanced level texts Vocabulary lists with English translations and vocabulary in context supporting each reading Comprehension questions in each chapter to help foster stronger reading and writing skills Language exercises and subject specific tasks to stimulate classroom discussion and help students develop strong essay writing skills in Greek Three folktales presented in different dialects at the end of the book to help students understand variety within the Greek language itself A complete Greek-English glossary and a list of all idiomatic expressions and colloquial phrases found in the folktales. Suitable for both class use and independent study, The Routledge Modern Greek Reader is an essential tool for increasing language proficiency skills and enriching students' cultural knowledge.

"Guess who this is," said Jane.  "Guess who this is, " said Sally.  "And see the two little ones.  Guess who."

Designed for students who have completed at least two years of college Chinese, this thoroughly revised edition of "All Things Considered" bridges the gap between intermediate- and advanced-level Chinese. Lessons promote student discussion and include thought-provoking topics relevant to contemporary Chinese society, such as the increasing divisions between the rich and poor, the conflict between economic development and environmental protection, and changing attitudes toward sex and marriage. The first twelve lessons in the book are in dialogue form, while the remaining lessons are adapted from Chinese newspaper and magazine articles, exposing students to spoken and written styles of Chinese. Some topics appear in both the dialogues and articles sections, giving students ample opportunity for review and reinforcement, improving their overall grammar and vocabulary retention.

With a new user-friendly format, "All Things Considered" juxtaposes text and vocabulary on adjacent pages. Grammar explanations and exercises have also been fully updated to meet student needs.Third-year Chinese language textbook Bridges the gap between the intermediate and advanced levels Covers thought-provoking topics essential to contemporary Chinese society Includes both dialogues and articles that reinforce grammar and vocabulary Improved explanations and exercises New user-friendly format

Originally published in 1999, "A New China" has become a standard textbook for intermediate Chinese language learning. This completely revised edition reflects China's dramatic developments in the last decade and consolidates the previous two-volume set into one volume for easy student use. Written from the perspective of a foreign student who has just arrived in China, the textbook provides the most up-to-date lessons and learning materials about the changing face of China.

The first half of the book follows the life of an exchange student experiencing Beijing for the first time. Chinese language students are guided step-by-step through the stages of arriving at the airport, going through customs, and adjusting to Chinese university dormitories. The revised edition includes new lessons on daily life, such as doing laundry and getting a haircut, as well as visiting the zoo, night markets, and the Great Wall. Later lessons discuss recent social and political issues in China, including divorce, Beijing traffic, and the college entrance examination. "A New China" provides detailed grammar explanations, extensive vocabulary lists, and homework exercises.Single-volume, user-friendly format New lessons and vocabulary reflecting daily living in China Includes China's recent social and political issues Detailed grammar explanations, vocabulary lists, and homework exercises Uses both traditional and simplified characters

The area in which people speak Urdu as their mother tongue includes east and west Pakistan (where, with Bangali, it functions as the official language of the land) and northern India. The language in this volume is based on the Urdu dialect of the educated population of Pakistan. The purpose of the book is to provide the basic grammatical equipment and vocabulary necessary to conduct oneself in areas of Pakistan and India in which Urdu is the language of communication. Developed over a period of fifteen years, it is designed for students who have little or nor linguistic training.