The story of battles--both past and present--surrounding English language usage, The Fight for English explores why millions of people feel linguistically inferior. Unhappy with the "zero tolerance" approach to punctuation offered by Lynn Truss's Eats, Shoots, and Leaves, David Crystal offers a view of the subject that is much more balanced. Instead of answering the claims made by other manuals of English usage, Crystal provides an explanation and analysis of the genre as a whole.
Crystal weaves an intricate and engaging account that traces the history of the English language and its development over time. From Anglo-Saxon to Modern English, Crystal addresses why the same language issues that were bothering people 250 years ago are still bothering people today. This is the story of the fight for English usage--the story of the people who tried to shape the language in their own image, but failed generation after generation. In short, they ate, shot, and left.
The Fight for English brings language to life on the page with a witty and engaging writing style. Broadening the perspective on the English language, this compellingly informative book has something for everyone interested in the topic. Move over Harry Potter. Here comes punctuation.

Using Arabic is a guide to Arabic usage for students who have already acquired the basics of the language and wish to extend their knowledge. Focusing mainly on Modern Standard Arabic, it is divided into three clear sections on varieties of Arabic, grammar, and vocabulary. 'Varieties of Arabic' describes the linguistic situation in the Arab world, showing students variations in register through the use of authentic texts. The vocabulary section is designed not only to expand students' knowledge of Arabic words, but also to show them which words are most current, and which are appropriate to different registers. The final chapter provides an overview of Arabic grammar, giving many modern-day examples, and highlighting common errors. Clear, readable and easy to consult, Using Arabic will prove an invaluable reference for students seeking to improve their fluency and confidence in Arabic.

The studies in this volume explore needs analysis in the public, vocational and academic sectors, in contexts ranging from service encounters in coffee shops to foreign language needs assessment in the U.S. military. In each chapter, the authors explicitly discuss the methodology they employed, and in some cases also offer research findings on that methodology. Several studies are task-based. Contributions include work on English and other languages in both second and foreign language settings, as well as a comprehensive overview of methodological issues in needs analysis by the editor.

This volume is a collection of nine original papers exploring dimensions of individual difference in language learning from narrative and biographical perspectives. This volume is a collection of nine original papers exploring dimensions of individual difference in language learning from narrative and biographical perspectives. Topics covered include motivation, emotion, age, learning strategies and beliefs, identity and the influence of classroom, distance and self-instructional settings. The authors use a variety of research methods to investigate learners' experiences of these aspects of the learning process. Among the countries represented in the research are Australia, Bahrain, China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, New Zealand, Peru, the United Kingdom and the United States. The studies will be of interest to teachers, teachers-in-preparation, teacher educators and researchers.

The fully revised edition of this 'classic' helps teachers give their learners the tools they need to express themselves through a range of stimulating drama contexts. This completely revised edition of the classic title Drama Techniques provides: *150 ideas for interesting and productive fluency practice *a large selection of drama-based techniques which focus learners' attention on communicative tasks or activities *techniques suitable for all levels *clear instructions for the teacher *advice on how to use the techniques in the classroom

The Cambridge Guide to English Usage is an A-Z reference book, giving an up-to-date account of the debatable issues of English usage and written style. Its advice draws on a wealth of recent research and data from very large corpora of American and British English - illuminating their many divergences and also points of convergence on which international English can be based. The book comprises more than 4000 points of word meaning, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and larger issues of inclusive language, and effective writing and argument. It also provides guidance on grammatical terminology, and covers topics in electronic communication and the internet. The discussion notes the major dictionaries, grammars and usage books in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia, allowing readers to calibrate their own practices as required. CGEU is descriptive rather than prescriptive, but offers a principled basis for implementing progressive or more conservative decisions on usage.

Build your French language skills with guidance from an award-winning author! Based on the successful approach of the Practice Makes Perfect series, this accessible guide offers a clear and engaging presentation of all aspects of French pronouns and prepositions. This updated edition provides clear explanations of the usage of these two essential elements of grammar along with practical examples illustrating and clarifying each point. You'll find a variety of exercises for plenty of practice. An answer key at the back of the book offers immediate feedback. For added practice and study on-the-go, this edition features review quizzes via the exclusive McGraw-Hill Education Language Lab app. Audio recordings of the answer key let you check your progress and your pronunciation skills. Practice Makes Perfect: French Pronouns and Prepositions will help you: *Learn the subtleties of how to use pronouns and prepositions *Build your language skills using more than 120 engaging exercises *Reinforce your knowledge with everyday examples covering a wide range of topics*Study on-the-go with the McGraw-Hill Education Language Lab app *Develop better pronunciation, and more

Ubersetzen ohne Recherche ist undenkbar. Dennoch wird Worterbuchern, Paralleltexten und anderen Hilfsmitteln in der Ubersetzungswissenschaft und bei der Ausbildung von Ubersetzern nur eine sehr marginale Rolle zuerkannt. Die Arbeit geht der Theorie und der Praxis der Hilfsmittelbenutzung beim Ubersetzen auf den Grund. Den Hypothesen der interdisziplinaren Forschung werden Fakten aus dem Berufsalltag von dreizehn Ubersetzern gegenubergestellt. Eine umfassende, kommentierte Hilfsmitteltypologie sowie ein detaillierter Katalog ubersetzerischer Bedurfnisse und Fertigkeiten dienen als Grundlage fur die Konzeption eines adressatengerechten, dynamischen Hilfsmittels sowie eines Unterrichtsmoduls zur ubersetzungsrelevanten Recherche. Aus dem Inhalt: Translationswissenschaft - Metalexikographie - Fachsprachenforschung - Computerlinguistik - Kontrastive Textologie - Paralleltexte - Hintergrundtexte - Translation Memory - Textographisches Glossar - Worterbucher - Worterbuchtypologie - Elektronische Worterbucher - Worterbuch-benutzungsforschung - Beobachtung - Benutzungsprotokoll - Lautes Denken - Benutzungskommentar - Benutzungsfrequenz - Ubersetzungsprobleme - Ausgangstexteinheiten - Benutzungsgrund - Suchfrage - Sprachkompetenz vs. Sach-/Kulturkompetenz - Hilfsmitteltypologie - Benutzungserfolg - Benutzerfehler - Recherchestrategien - Benutzerbedurfnisse - Benutzerfertigkeiten - Hilfsmittelentwicklung - Hilfsmitteldidaktik - Recherchekompetenz.

The affective domain and the emotional factors that influence language learning have been of interest in the field of language teaching for a number of years. By proposing a holistic approach to the learning process, this volume takes the position that the language learning experience will be much more effective when both affect and cognition are considered. The eighteen chapters discuss issues such as memory, anxiety, self-esteem, facilitation, autonomy, classroom activities, and assessment from the perspective of affect.

Inevitably, it is in the most commonly used languages that the vocabulary of language testing and assessment is most highly developed, and for which most of the literature has been produced. A multilingual glossary has a significant role to play in encouraging the development of language testing in less widely taught languages. The idea of producing a multilingual glossary of assessment and language testing terms has grown out of the needs experienced by members of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) while engaged in work on language testing projects. It is anticipated that this glossary will be of use, not only to members of ALTE, but to many others working in the context of European languages, who are involved in language testing and assessment. The glossary contains entries in ten languages: Catalan, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.

What do you do when you use a metaphor? Or a simile or analogy? Can you tell the difference between a synecdoche and a metonymy? What are the secret tricks used every day by professional persuaders? In this learned little volume, illustrated by Merrily Harpur, AdinaArvatu and Andrew Aberdein demonstrate the principles of Rhetoric via its key figures and devices, using copious examples to show how all human communication deploys the techniques of this ancient art. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

This text has been written to help foreign and second language educators use classroom-based assessment as a tool for improving teaching and learning. The book requires no previous background in psychometrics, statistics, or research, and the suggested procedures are appropriate for a broad range of levels, situations, and instructional approaches.