This abridgement of the acclaimed Dictionary of Modern American Usage is a handy guide that discusses the most common problems of style and usage.

Homonyms are pairs of words (sometimes three or four words) that sound alike, but have different spellings and meanings, such as "side-sighed," "bare-bear," and "seen-scene." This book has been written not only because homonyms pose a problem for many native speakers of English, but because they are also particularly troublesome for learners of English as a second language. This collection does not contain every homonym, but it does contain many of the most common ones. Mostly Homonyms is a new treatment of a traditional topic that is easy to read and use without sacrificing academic relevance. It is intended not only for anyone who wishes to ascertain the correct spelling and usage of a homonym, whether non-native learners of English or native speakers of English, but also for people who just love words.

The Cambridge Guide to Australian English Usage is an up-to-date, evidence-based account of the variable points in Australian usage and style, in alphabetical format. Its description of Australian English uses a wealth of primary sources (linguistic corpora; the internet; public surveys of usage, conducted through Australian Style) as well as the latest editions of English dictionaries, style manuals and grammars. With all this input the Cambridge Guide to Australian English Usage provides in-depth coverage of the currency of alternative usages in spelling, punctuation and word choice in Australia, while showing the influence of British and American English here as well. This book is designed for everyone who writes and edits documents and non-fiction texts, for print or electronic delivery. Tertiary students and staff will get plenty of help from it, as well as professional editors who work with manuscripts of many different authors and commissions from multiple publishers.

Do you "know" that posh comes from an acronym meaning "port out, starboard home"? That "the whole nine yards" comes from (pick one) the length of a WWII gunner's belt; the amount of fabric needed to make a kilt; a sarcastic football expression? That Chicago is called "The Windy City" because of the bloviating habits of its politicians, and not the breeze off the lake?
If so, you need this book. David Wilton debunks the most persistently wrong word histories, and gives, to the best of our actual knowledge, the real stories behind these perennially mis-etymologized words.
In addition, he explains why these wrong stories are created, disseminated, and persist, even after being corrected time and time again. What makes us cling to these stories, when the truth behind these words and phrases is available, for the most part, at any library or on the Internet?
Arranged by chapters, this book avoids a dry A-Z format. Chapters separate misetymologies by kind, including The Perils of Political Correctness (picnics have nothing to do with lynchings), Posh, Phat Pommies (the problems of bacronyming--the desire to make every word into an acronym), and CANOE (which stands for the Conspiracy to Attribute Nautical Origins to Everything).
Word Myths corrects long-held and far-flung examples of wrong etymologies, without taking the fun out of etymology itself. It's the best of both worlds: not only do you learn the many wrong stories behind these words, you also learn why and how they are created--and what the real story is.

Reviewing key points, this guide to Italian usage is intended for students who have acquired the basics of the language and wish to extend their fluency and confidence. It pays special attention to those areas of vocabulary and grammar which cause the most difficulty to English-speakers, and consideration is given throughout to questions of style and register. The text will be an essential reference for learners seeking access to the finer nuances of the Italian language.

Diese Professorin Regina Hessky gewidmete thematische Festgabe versammelt 27 Beitrage, die sich mit Problemen der lexikalischen Semantik, der Phraseologie und der Lexikographie des Deutschen aus einzelsprachlicher oder kontrastiver Perspektive auseinander setzen. Die Autoren des Bandes sind Vertreter der ungarischen und der internationalen Germanistik aus Deutschland, Frankreich, Russland, Schweden, Spanien und den USA.

This thoroughly revised edition helps those who have already acquired the basics of German and wish to extend their fluency and confidence. Focusing on the particular needs of the English-speaking user, it incorporates important information on recent trends and changes in the German language, including the 1998 spelling reforms, and on style, register and regional variation, which is frequently ignored by conventional textbooks. First Edition Hb (1992): 0-521-42077-6 First Edition Pb (1992): 0-521-31556-5

Providing the student of Italian with an in-depth, structured approach to the learning of vocabulary, this text can be used for intermediate and advanced undergraduate courses, or as a supplementary manual at all levels. The book is made up of twenty units covering topics ranging from clothing and jewellery, to politics and environmental issues. Each unit consists of words and phrases organized thematically and according to levels facilitating their acquisition.

"Sociocultural Contexts of Language and Literacy, Second Edition" engages prospective and in-service teachers in learning about linguistically and culturally diverse students, and in using this knowledge to enrich literacy learning in classrooms and communities. The text is grounded in current research and theory that integrate sociocultural and constructivist concepts and perspectives and provide a framework teachers can use to develop strategies for teaching reading, writing, and thinking to diverse students.
The focus on English literacy development does not imply advocacy for "English only" or ESL as the primary mode of literacy instruction. Rather, the authors take the position that learners need to develop literacy in their native language and that the concepts and skills learned in developing the native language create a foundation of strength from which students can develop English literacy.
Part I introduces relevant research and language learning theories. PartII provides research reviews and information about literacy learning within specific culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The chapters in Part III challenge the reader to view the multiple social, intellectual, cultural, and language differences children bring to the classroom as an opportunity for learning and building on the diversity among students. Activities and suggested readings at the end of each chapter involve readers in reflection, observation, meaning making, and the construction of application processes for their new understandings.
New in the "Second Edition: "
*updated research and theory on multilingual and second language literacy;
*a focus on the interpretation of theseresearch findings to make them useful for teachers and teacher educators in understanding and articulating the research bases for literacy practices;
*attention to current intensely debated issues, such as standards, the phonics movement, and high-stakes testing; and
*new activities and suggested readings.

A bona fide publishing phenomenon, Lynne Trussas now classic #1 "New York Times" bestseller "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" makes its paperback debut after selling over 3 million copies worldwide in hardcover.

We all know the basics of punctuation. Or do we? A look at most neighborhood signage tells a different story. Through sloppy usage and low standards on the Internet, in e-mail, and now text messages, we have made proper punctuation an endangered species.

In "Eats, Shoots & Leaves," former editor Truss dares to say, in her delightfully urbane, witty, and very English way, that it is time to look at our commas and semicolons and see them as the wonderful and necessary things they are. This is a book for people who love punctuation and get upset when it is mishandled. From the invention of the question mark in the time of Charlemagne to George Orwell shunning the semicolon, this lively history makes a powerful case for the preservation of a system of printing conventions that is much too subtle to be mucked about with. BACKCOVER: Praise for Lynne Truss and "Eats, Shoots & Leaves":
"Eats, Shoots & Leaves" amakes correct usage so cool that you have to admire Ms. Truss.a
aJanet Maslin, "The New York Times"
aWitty, smart, passionate.a
a"Los Angeles Times Book Review," Best Books Of 2004: Nonfiction
aWho knew grammar could be so much fun?a
a"Newsweek"
aWitty and instructive. . . . Truss is an entertaining, well-read scold in a culture that could use more scolding.a
a"USA Today" aTruss is William Safire crossed with John Cleeseas Basil Fawlty.a
a"Entertainment Weekly"
aLynne Truss has done the English-speaking world a huge service.a
a"The Christian Science Monitor"
aThis book changed my life in small, perfect ways like learning how to make better coffee or fold an omelet. Itas the perfect gift for anyone who cares about grammar and a gentle introduction for those who donat care enough.a
a"The Boston Sunday Globe"
aLynne Truss makes [punctuation] a joy to contemplate.a
a"Elle"
aIf Lynne Truss were Roman Catholic Iad nominate her for sainthood.a aFrank McCourt, author of "Angelaas Ashes"
aTrussas scholarship is impressive and never dry.a
aEdmund Morris, "The New York Times Book Review"

This is the complete beginning-level course for spoken Mandarin Chinese designed to have you speaking quickly and accurately! The Basic Mandarin Chinese series offers a complete introductory Chinese language course specifically designed for native English speakers. These books teach spoken and written Chinese separately, allowing you to focus on the area most important to you, and to learn the spoken and written forms of Chinese at different speeds depending on your available time and interest. The free audio and video recordings included with this book reinforce the content and make the learning process easy. Whether you're learning Mandarin for work, travel or other reasons--the Basic Mandarin Chinese approach of having two separate but integrated "tracks" helps you to learn the language more efficiently and more successfully. Key features of this Chinese textbook and discs include: Clear and detailed pronunciation, grammar and cultural explanations Exercises and activities based on real-life experiences in China Hours of video recordings filmed on location featuring dozens of native speakers in various parts of China and beyond Six hours of native-speaker audio recordings for all the book's dialogues and exercises Special software allowing you to interact with the recordings. This Mandarin textbook is designed to be used with its separately available workbook, Basic Mandarin Chinese--Speaking & Listening Practice Book which provides a range of drills and exercises designed to dramatically enhance your spoken proficiency and improve your Chinese language skills. This book is a new edition of Basic Spoken Chinese. All disc content is alternatively accessible on tuttlepublishing.com/downloadable-content.

Sprache ist ohne Wiederholungen nicht moeglich. Aber nicht alle Wiederholungen sind gleichermassen notwendig. Diese Arbeit klart, welche formal zu unterscheidenden Wiederholungen bestehen und wie ihre jeweilige Funktion zu beschreiben ist. Der Autor betrachtet das komplexe Thema aus verschiedenen Blickwinkeln und macht sich das Wissen antiker und moderner Rhetorik ebenso zunutze, wie die Erkenntnisse von Textlinguistik, Pragmatik und generativer Grammatik. Das verwendete Korpus fusst auf Beispielen der englischsprachigen Literatur. Die Verbindung unterschiedlicher Disziplinen und theoretischer Ansatze ermoeglicht eine umfassende, fur Linguisten, Literaturwissenschaftler und Rhetoriker gleichermassen relevante Beschreibung sprachlicher Wiederholungen.

This book proposes unique conceptual bases for addressing questions about technology in second language teaching, testing, and research. It illustrates existing computer applications; overviews essential software concepts; outlines research needs; and suggests approaches for investigating computer applications in second language teaching, testing, and research.

This is an essential reference for intermediate and advanced students of Italian as well as teachers and other professional linguists seeking access to the finer nuances of the Italian language. It will enable those who have already developed a basic competence in Italian to broaden and improve their vocabulary and choose between words with similar meanings. It was the first book of Italian synonyms to be written with the needs of English speakers in mind, and is an invaluable guide to finding the right word for a given context. All entries are accompanied by English glosses and examples of usage and are graded according to speech register, indicating the degree of formality or informality for a particular word or phrase. For ease of reference, there are two indexes allowing users to locate words in either Italian or English. The book also provides additional notes on grammar and usage where necessary.

This is a guide to Japanese usage for students who have acquired the basics of the language and wish to extend their knowledge. Unlike conventional grammars, it gives special attention to those areas of vocabulary and grammar that cause the most difficulty to English speakers. Careful consideration is given throughout to questions of style, register, and politeness, and there are sections on social rituals such as greetings, introductions and apologies. Clear, readable and easy to consult, with two indexes (Japanese and English), this is an essential reference for learners seeking access to the finer nuances of the Japanese language.

This is a guide to Japanese usage for students who have acquired the basics of the language and wish to extend their knowledge. Unlike conventional grammars, it gives special attention to those areas of vocabulary and grammar that cause the most difficulty to English speakers. Careful consideration is given throughout to questions of style, register, and politeness, and there are sections on social rituals such as greetings, introductions and apologies. Clear, readable and easy to consult, with two indexes (Japanese and English), this is an essential reference for learners seeking access to the finer nuances of the Japanese language.