In this indispensable reference, twenty-nine leaders in the field describe how language works--accounting for its nature, use, study, and history. "An Encyclopaedia of Language" provides a truly comprehensive overview of how the various branches of linguistic study have arrived at their current positions. It divides the subject into three logical sections: 1) the "inner nature" of language; 2) its interaction with other disciplines; and 3) some special aspects of its study and use.
Readers will find detailed coverage of: how language works; how language is taught and learned; phonetics; grammar and semantics; how linguists research their subjects and interpret results; second languages; language and computation; writing systems; the history of language study; the evolution of language; the distribution of languages around the world; lexicography; dialectology; and other topics.

* Examines how language works, accounting for its nature, its use, its study and its history
* Two comprehensive indexes of Topics and Technical Terms, and Names
* Carefully illustrated to explain key points in the text
This rich repository of information on all aspects of language is a must for all libraries in higher education, schools and larger public libraries.' - Library Review
Each article has an excellent bibliography. In addition, there are comprehensive indexes of topics and technical terms and names. Highly recommended for all college and general public libraries.' - Choice
This important book is in many ways a state-of-the -art survey of current conceptions of, and approaches to, language, with generous references to more detailed sources. Each chapter has a good bibliography.' - Language International
A comprehensive guide ... with very thorough bibliographies ... Collinge's Encyclopedia is recommended to academic libraries.' - Reference Reviews
The bibliographies are an invaluable aid ... the editor is to be congratulated for having done an excellent job ... there are virtually no areas of language and linguistics that do not get a look in somewhere, and there is good signposting in the text itself.' - Nigel Vincent, Times Higher Education Supplement