Words Words Words [Paperback]

David Crystal (Author)

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Product Details

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press; 1 edition (May 26 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0199210772
ISBN-13: 978-0199210770
Product Dimensions: 19 x 14.5 x 1.8 cm
Shipping Weight: 227 g
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #465,705 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #9 in Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Lexicography

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Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

The latest contribution from prolific linguist Crystal (The Stories of English) offers a cornucopia of interesting takes on "the universe of words." Crystal briefly visits many aspects of language: baby names, place names, how languages change, how to estimate the size of your vocabulary and the interaction between languages. He also touches on the history of words and how language changes with interesting, straightforward explanations that belie the author's enormous knowledge of lexicology, but represent well his intense, personal love for it: "Everyone has their own linguistic story to tell ... this book is part of my story, a cross-section of my lexical autobiography." Witty literary references are sprinkled throughout the book, along with some surprisingly vulgar sections; even the table of contents and the index are fascinating linguistic exercises. Conversational but easy to reference, this text will be useful to any semi-serious practitioner of the English language.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

In 33 chapters, prolific professor Crystal celebrates words, covering their form, meaning, and evolution. Arguing that we are all, in fact, wordsmiths, Crystal makes his point by noting that their own vocabularies are far larger than most people realize. Although most people would guess that they use from 5,000 to 20,000 words, it is unusual to find anyone with an active vocabulary of less than 35,000 words, according to Crystal. He goes on to describe how we learn new words, the creation of dictionaries, the origins of words, and the borrowings from foreign languages (more than 350) that form part of the modern English vocabulary. Other chapters cover spelling, pronunciation, dialect, slang, and word games and wordplay. A final section, "Becoming a Word Detective," is a collection of online and print sources on etymology, among other topics. Crystal covers a lot of ground in short, well-paced chapters that never fail to offer something for word lovers--a 2004 survey, for example, found that mother topped the list of the most beautiful words in the English language. Joanne Wilkinson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Amazon.com: 4.5 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Inspiring, Mar 6 2008

By Soulpatch "tentative" - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Words Words Words (Paperback)

PERFECTLY written by an author who knows the language upside down. Crystal takes seemingly boring topics such as etymology, lexicology... and makes them interesting, educative, and entertaining. His writing style is appealing and 'simple' such that anybody can read it without being bogged down.
He has subtle advices for wannabe word-detectives, too. You are assured to be entertained from the very first word... you will love it.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I Know, Feb 28 2010

By William F. Magrogan "Nutty Professor" - Published on Amazon.com

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Words Words Words (Hardcover)

... what's in every book in every library in the world: words!
I found this book quite thought-provoking about how we impose word usage based on our perceived "authority" or influence over those writing or speaking them.
And, why we or "they" deliberately create language that rebels.
Overall, Crystal convinces me that we are all a bit richer for it!

15 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Surprise, Sep 21 2007

By Laura Oldenburg "Laura" - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Words Words Words (Paperback)

WORDS WORDS WORDS
It was the first time that I have ever read a book by David Crystal. Although I am not an English native speaker I think that Crystal has a straightforward way to write even to those - like me- who are not familiar with language business.
It is a book to read and reread. I recommend.
Laura Oldenburg
Rio de Janeiro- Brazil

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 8 reviews 4.5 out of 5 stars