First You Write a Sentence
"Do you want to write clearer, livelier prose? This witty primer will help." --The New York Times Book Review An exploration of how the most ordinary words can be turned into verbal constellations of extraordinary grace through the art of building sentences The sentence is the common ground where every writer walks. A good sentence can be written (and read) by anyone if we simply give it the gift of our time, and it is as close as most of us will get to making something truly beautiful. Using minimal technical terms and sources ranging from the Bible and Shakespeare to George Orwell and Maggie Nelson, as well as scientific studies of what can best fire the reader's mind, author Joe Moran shows how we can all write in a way that is clear, compelling and alive. Whether dealing with finding the ideal word, building a sentence, or constructing a paragraph, First You Write a Sentence informs by light example: much richer than a style guide, it can be read not only for instruction but for pleasure and delight. And along the way, it shows how good writing can help us notice the world, make ourselves known to others, and live more meaningful lives. It's an elegant gem in praise of the English sentence.
Your Language Matters
The ability to learn and develop languages for communication is a uniquely human characteristic. Equip yourself by exploring language and linguistics as a discipline - this book is that exploration. Discover language structure and meaning at the word and sentence levelUnravel the intricacies of how meaning is encoded in grammarExplore how dialectal differences arise and the consequences of linguistic prejudiceUnderstand the forces that cause languages to evolve over timeLearn the biological foundations of language by examining its neurological basis and the fascinating process of both first- and second-language acquisitionInteractive exercises invite readers to engage with the critical linguistic questions. You will develop foundational skills to analyze languages scientifically, appreciate its diversity, and understand its profound impact on the human experience. In our interdependent global world understanding the intricacies of languages is crucial. Your Language Matters is an instructive yet accessible textbook that can be used in an entry-level university classroom or for self-instruction. Whether considering a career in linguistics, seeking to improve your communication skills, or simply curious about languages in our current contexts, this textbook will provide a solid foundation and inspire further exploration.
Short-Story Masterpieces, Vol. 1
In the heart of 19th century France, where societal norms clash with the burgeoning spirit of existential inquiry, lies a treasure trove of narratives that have captured imaginations for generations. Once lost to the sands of time, this classic literature anthology has been resurrected by Alpha Editions, offering a window into the human condition through the lens of French short stories. This isn't merely a reprint; it is a collector's item and a cultural treasure, meticulously restored for today's and future generations. The pages of this literary collection echo with the voices of celebrated masters like Guy de Maupassant and Honor矇 de Balzac, whose tales unravel the complexities of life, love, and morality. Each story is a vivid exploration of existential themes, inviting readers to ponder the essence of their own existence. For literature students and French language learners alike, these narratives provide not only linguistic enrichment but also a profound understanding of the era's cultural and philosophical underpinnings. As you delve into these stories, you are transported to early 20th century France, where every character's journey offers a mirror to the soul, reflecting timeless truths and questions that resonate even today. This book, once out of print for decades, now stands as a beacon of literary heritage, inviting both casual readers and avid collectors to experience the enduring power of storytelling.
Cuentos Y Di獺logos
In the sun-dappled streets of 19th century Spain, the whispers of human nature unfold with striking clarity. This Spanish literature anthology, once lost to time, resurfaces with a vibrancy that speaks to both the heart and the intellect. A treasure trove of short stories and literary dialogues, it delves into the intricate tapestry of social commentary fiction, offering a mirror to the cultural reflections of its era. With an Andalusian setting that breathes life into its narratives, the collection captivates Spanish language readers and literary enthusiasts alike. Republished by Alpha Editions, this book was out of print for decades and has been lovingly restored for today's and future generations. It is not merely a reprint; it stands as a collector's item and a cultural treasure, inviting readers to explore the depths of human experience through the eyes of literary giants such as Leopoldo Alas Clarin and Emilia Pardo Bazan. Their keen insights into the human condition resonate with a timelessness that transcends the centuries. In a world where the past and present converge, this anthology matters now more than ever, offering a poignant exploration of themes that continue to shape our understanding of society. As you turn each page, you will find yourself immersed in a world where the stories of yesteryear echo with contemporary relevance, making this collection an essential addition to any discerning reader's library.
Relation Des Choses De Yucatan De Diego De Landa; Texte Espagnol Et Traduction Fran癟aise En Regard, Comprenant Les Signes Du Calendrier Et De L'Alphabet Hi矇roglyphique De La Langue Maya; Accompagn矇 De
Imagine uncovering a forgotten world, where the echoes of ancient civilisations whisper through meticulously carved symbols and the vibrant tapestry of history unfolds in every page. This is the journey awaiting you in a work that was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions. Restored for today's and future generations, this edition is not just a reprint-it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure. Delve into the depths of the Maya civilisation study with this Spanish-French bilingual edition, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the enigmatic world of the 16th century Yucatan. Here, the intricacies of the Mayan calendar symbols and the complexity of hieroglyphic language analysis are laid bare for historians and researchers, as well as linguistic scholars, to explore with renewed vigour. As you turn each page, you'll traverse the landscape of pre-Columbian history, guided by the keen insights of the renowned Abb矇 Brasseur de Bourbourg. This edition bridges continents and epochs, drawing connections between the ancient Egyptian monuments and the rich historical tapestry of Central America exploration. Its republication marks a monumental moment for both casual readers and classic-collection buyers, offering a profound connection to the past that resonates with the curiosity and wonder of our present. Embark on this intellectual adventure and rediscover a world long lost, now brought vividly back to life.
Symese - Universal Symbolic Script
Is it possible to express ourselves with symbols independent of their sounds in spoken language? To denote basic concepts using a reasonably small set of symbols, with a pictographic link to what each represents, that can be augmented or compounded to represent more complex concepts? To capture the poetry of words in the sound of silence? Yes, it is!This book presents an outline blueprint for Symese, a universal symbolic script that is simple but not simplistic, with an elegance and coherence lacking in modern pictographic-rooted scripts. Symese is a writing system whose semiotics turns traditional alphabet-based linguistics on its head.My quest has been inspired by how the Chinese script bridges many spoken dialects and appear even in other languages like Korean and Japanese. Notwithstanding syntactical and semantic differences in the use of Chinese characters across dialects and languages, can we achieve today on a global scale what ancient civilisations did at a local level? Yes, we can!
COBUILD Key Words for the TOEFL Test
Collins COBUILD Key Words for the TOEFL Test is a brand-new vocabulary book containing all the essential words and phrases that students need to succeed in the TOEFL. Collins COBUILD Key Words for the TOEFL Test has been specially created for foreign learners of American English who plan to take the TOEFL to demonstrate that they have the required ability to communicate effectively in English in an academic environment, such as a university or college. Collins COBUILD Key Words for the TOEFL Test covers the words and phrases that students need to master in order to achieve the scores required by the top universities and employers. Key Words for the TOEFL Test is unique in that the vocabulary items are organized alphabetically, in a dictionary style, and words are clearly labelled according to topic. Hundreds of vocabulary-building features, synonyms, phrases and collocations help students to enrich their vocabulary and increase their accuracy and fluency. Key terms from the Academic Word List are also covered. To help students consolidate what they have learnt, the title also includes a thematic word list section, organized according to topics that frequently appear in the TOEFL. Vocabulary items are explained using simple language and are presented in a clear and easy-to-use format, which makes Collins COBUILD Key Words for the TOEFL Test ideal for students preparing for the TOEFL. Students can feel confident that Collins COBUILD Key Words for the TOEFL will fully prepare them for the exam and help them achieve the score they are aiming for.
How to Talk to Anyone From Small Talk to Big Impact
Do you feel anxious in social settings, worry about being judged, or struggle to strike up a conversation with someone new? Do you dread networking events, fearing small talk and awkward silences? If yes, then this book is for you. It's your ultimate guide to mastering communication and building confidence in every interaction.Here's what you'll discover inside: Instant confidence boosters to ease your anxiety at social gatherings.A quiz to discover your unique communication style and play to your strengths. Techniques to transform small talk into meaningful dialogue.Tools to handle awkward silences.Secrets to decode non-verbal cues and understand unspoken feelings.Empathy-building methods to become the listener everyone trustsTips to remember names and details, making every interaction memorable.Outlines to craft the perfect elevator pitch and grow your professional network....plus much more!How to Talk to Anyone is designed to equip you with practical tools and techniques to express yourself authentically, create meaningful connections and navigate both casual chats and critical business meetings with confidence. This is not just about talking to anyone; it's about feeling good while doing it.If you're ready to unlock your full potential, transform your communication skills and build powerful, genuine relationships this book is for you.
E Pluribus English
Ever think about how many languages tumble off our tongues when we speak English? So many languages with so many word origins that tell so many tales! Like these...Arabic's algebra that got tangled up in bone-settingWhy the Greek for "milk" became our galaxyWhat the French connection is between sabotage and shoes How Hindi for milk-and-sugar found its way into seersuckerThe fishy story of how ketchup spiced up English from half a world awayAnd the true measure of the Spanish ten-gallon hatMore than 450 words reveal their language history, from the Welsh flummery to the Viking freckle to the Latin red-letter day. If you love words and the stories they tell, and would enjoy an entertaining look at language evolution, E Pluribus English is a book for you.
Enduring Digital Damage
Networks the intricate relationship between rapidly advancing digital technologies and environmental degradation and reveals the costs of our globally connected world.Taking a step back from the screens of electronic devices and exploring the profound impacts of digital technologies on our environment, Enduring Digital Damage lifts the veil on the "hidden costs" in our modern technological world.Dustin Edwards traces key moments in the lifecycle of technology--such as the extraction of raw materials to the disposal of electronic waste--to uncover the often overlooked consequence of our digital age. He illuminates how data centers, mining operations, and other digital infrastructures contribute to environmental harm and how the rapidly increasing demand for land use and water access is essential to sustain our growing digital needs. Weaving together narratives of technological advancement and ecological destruction, Edwards presents a comprehensive analysis of the true cost of our digital lives. By drawing on case studies, cultural critique, and a critical examination of labor and sustainability, Enduring Digital Damage reveals the deeper histories and ongoing struggles that make our digital lives possible, urging readers to imagine the possibility of a less harmful and extractive world.
Barranquilla with a Taste of Verbena
Immerse Yourself in the Rhythm of Learning Step into the vibrant world of Barranquilla with Barranquilla with a Taste of Verbena: Case Studies of Successful Language Learning Through English Music. This groundbreaking book weaves together the energetic spirit of a city famed for its cultural celebrations and the universal language of music to explore innovative methods of mastering English. Through engaging real-life case studies, discover how learners have harnessed the power of English music to break down language barriers and embrace new cultural perspectives. Perfect for educators, students, and music enthusiasts alike, this book offers a refreshing, harmonious approach to language acquisition that resonates long after the final note.
The World in a Phrase
Celebrating the short, witty, philosophical phrases known as aphorisms, this delightful history is an entertaining tour through the wisest and wittiest sayings in the world. Aphorisms are literature's hand luggage. Light and compact, they contain everything you need to get through a rough day at the office or a dark night of the soul. Aphorisms, the oldest written art form on the planet, have been going viral for thousands of years, delivering the short, sharp shock of old forgotten truths. Today, visual artists are mixing pithy language with compelling imagery and using social media to take the form into the future. In a world of disinformation and deepfakes, aphorisms point to the power of fresh debate over tired dogma and inconvenient truths over comfortable lies. Starting in ancient China and ending with contemporary meme-makers and street artists, The World in A Phrase tells the story of the aphorism through brief biographies of some of its greatest practitioners: sages like Lao-tzu and the Buddha, philosophers like Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, writers like George Eliot and Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, humorists like Mark Twain and Dorothy Parker, activists like James Baldwin and Audre Lorde, poets like Langston Hughes and Kay Ryan, and artists like Jenny Holzer and David Byrne. The World in A Phrase is for lovers of words and seekers of wisdom. This new edition of The New York Times bestseller features 26 additional aphorists and explores the aphorism in the age of social media, showing why these short sentences are the ultimate deep dives in an era when TL;DR has become a cultural catchphrase.
Introduction To The Study Of The History Of Language
A rediscovered classic that reawakens the wonder of words Introduction to the Study of the History of Language invites readers to trace the living roots of every tongue. Willem Sijbrand Logeman s lucid, passionate guide lays out the principles of historical linguistics and philology with clarity and curiosity: how languages change over time, the methods of comparative language study, the logic of sound shifts, and the detective work behind reconstructing language origins. Blending rigorous scholarship with readable storytelling, it maps linguistic evolution across families and eras, turning abstract concepts into memorable insights for both newcomers and seasoned researchers. This edition from Alpha Editions is more than a reprint. Out of print for decades and meticulously restored for today s and future generations, it brings back a pivotal language history book with refreshed typography and archival care. Every page has been prepared to honor Logeman s original voice while making his work accessible to modern readers of introduction to linguistics, language research, and philology. A cultural treasure and collector s item, this volume belongs on the shelf of casual readers intrigued by language development, students of language study, and classic literature collectors seeking a foundational text in the study of language change over time. Rediscover the origins and trajectories of speech with an essential work on language history, now reborn for a new age.
Greek Primer, Colloquial And Constructive
A rare doorway to ancient speech swings open again learn Greek the living way with a classic reborn. Greek Primer, Colloquial and Constructive by John Stuart Blackie is a spirited, practical guide that teaches the Greek language through conversational use and systematic grammar. Designed as a beginner Greek textbook and colloquial Greek guide, it blends clear constructive Greek lessons with lively examples, enabling Greek language beginners to grasp grammar, pronunciation, and everyday speech quickly. Readers will find progressive exercises, parsing of Greek grammar basics, and practical drills ideal for anyone keen on Greek language study or seeking Greek language resources for self-study and classroom use. This volume s historical and pedagogical importance is unmistakable: Blackie s humane approach and emphasis on spoken idiom mark it as a milestone in Greek language education. Long out of print, this is now republished by Alpha Editions fully restored for today s and future generations. Carefully preserved and enhanced, this edition is not just a reprint; it s a collector s item and cultural treasure for classic literature collectors and modern learners alike. Perfect for students searching for Greek language for beginners, teachers curating Greek language education materials, or lifelong learners who want to learn Greek online, this Greek language primer reconnects you with a time-tested method. Own a piece of linguistic history and start your journey into Greek with confidence.
The Language-Lover's Lexipedia
Dreyer's English meets Schott's Original Miscellany in this delicious tour of the lesser-known wonders of the language world, perfect for language lovers, word nerds, and the incurably curious. A delightful rollick through language unlike any you've ever experienced. As the inventor of the bestselling game about words, League of the Lexicon, Joshua Blackburn has created an A-Z that's part-encyclopedia, part-treasure map, and an all-around joy for anyone interested in words and language. Meticulously researched, joyfully written, and beautifully designed, The Language-Lover's Lexipedia dives into the quirky, the curious, and the unexpected to reveal a world of language you never knew existed. Discover the biting humor of Scottish insults (you're talking mince), the curious history of the Chinese typewriter, and the strange yet vivid color names of Elizabethan England--like "dead Spaniard" and "lusty gallant." Whether it's the dark history of the Index of Banned Books or the bewildering grammar of Yoda, each pithy entry is brimming with knowledge and wit. Illustrated with enchanting line art that evokes a 19th-century reference book, The Language-Lover's Lexipedia is as visually delightful as it is intellectually captivating. It's stuffed with quirky lists, surprising facts, and illuminating stories, making it the ultimate gift for any language lover. Want to uncover the secret of Ikea product names? Decode the euphemisms of Victorian England? Or understand why pedants are pedantic? This book has you covered--and then some. Blackburn's infectious enthusiasm turns linguistic oddities into pure entertainment and offers up endless rabbit holes to dive down, with each thoughtful entry promising to charm, educate, and tickle. From the linguistic history of marijuana to the origins of nonsense, The Language-Lover's Lexipedia is a must-read for anyone who revels in the beauty, humor, and sheer weirdness of language.
Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red
Discover hundreds of intriguing, entertaining, and often hilarious origins to the English language's most curious phrases in this fascinating trivia book from best-selling author Andrew Thompson. English is filled with curious, intriguing, and bizarre phrases. This book reveals the surprising, captivating, and even hilarious origins behind four hundred of them, including: - Read Between the Lines - Cat Got Your Tongue? - Put a Sock in It - Close, but No Cigar - Bring Home the Bacon - Caught Red-Handed - Under the Weather - Raining Cats and Dogs Perfect for trivia and language lovers alike, this entertaining collection is the ultimate guide to understanding these baffling mini mysteries of the English language.
Translating the New Philosophy in the Dutch Early Enlightenment (1640-1720)
A small group of freethinkers from the Dutch Republic played a key role in the major intellectual changes of the Early Enlightenment (1640-1720). In the wake of Cartesianism, their rationalist ideas transformed debates about science, theology, medicine, and political theory. This book studies the position of four translators in these debates on the 'New Philosophy' Jan Hendriksz Glazemaker, Pieter Balling, Abraham van Berkel, and Stephan Blankaart. It presents a comparative history of their Dutch translations of philosophical treatises by Ren矇 Descartes, Thomas Hobbes, and Benedictus de Spinoza. A combined methodology of computational and qualitative analysis offers new insights into the form and function of translated philosophical texts within the intellectual debates about language, reason, and knowledge that were partly inspired by those texts. These insights change our understanding of the crucial function of translations, multilingualism, and linguistic purism in the Dutch Early Enlightenment.
Schott's Significa
The perfect gift for word lovers, trivia fanatics, and the culturally curious. From the author of the international bestseller Schott's Original Miscellany comes a visually rich book that breaks down the colorful language and systems of signs that make up the vocabulary of our world. Named a Best Book of October 2025 by Kirkus, Financial Times, and Town & Country Here is an obsessive and fascinating look at the systems of language and knowledge that surrounds us. Ben Schott breaks down the lingo, slang, and jargon found in dozens of fascinating professions, events, and subcultures--from the insider language used in casino gambling to the NYC diamond district and professional sommeliers to London cabbies. For those who wish to gain access to rarified worlds, this book is an elegant and smart look at so much hiding in plain sight around us. With its gorgeously erudite and detailed design, full-color photos throughout, and thoroughly researched survey of lingo and culture, Schott's Significa will change how you see the world.
Word-Formation - European Languages
This reader is part of a five-volume-edition and comprises an in-depth presentation of the state of the art in word-formation. Volume 5 offers 26 descriptive portraits of word-formation in Indo-European and Non-Indo-European languages of Europe that exemplify the range of structures made possible by the word-formation processes discussed in the previous volumes.
Useless Etymology
Did you know that an "astronaut" is literally a "star sailor," that a thesaurus is, in fact, a "treasure trove" of words, and that someone who is "sinister" is actually just "left-handed"? Have you ever wondered why English isn't considered a Romance language if 60% of our words are Latin-derived? Did Shakespeare really invent 1,700 words, and if not, why the heck do we say that he did? Why is the English language stuffed with so many synonyms? Let's be real: English can seem pretty bonkers. And, well, sometimes it is. But through thorough thought and a pinch of curiosity, method can be found within the madness of our modern tongue-even within the disparate pronunciation of the words "through," "thorough," and "thought." Derived from Germanic, Romance, Hellenic, Semitic, African and Native American languages, English contains multitudes. It has been (and continues to be) transformed by war and conquest, art and literature, science and technology, love and hate, wit and whim. Useless Etymology takes readers on a time-traveling adventure to unlock the beauty, wonder, and absurdity within our everyday words, how they came to be, and the unexpected ways their origins weave a global, cross-cultural labyrinth of meaning. Filled with fun facts and delightful discoveries, this is an enlightening read for anyone who wants to know more about why the English language works the way that it does.
ESP Learning in Chinese Employment-Oriented University
This book included two academic articles. One article explored the English learning motivation in English for Specific Purposes in Chinese employment-oriented university, concluding that teacher-related motivation plays the important role in ESP learning. The other one explored the application of project-based learning in the English for Specific Purposes class, and the approach's role in improving students' English proficiency, as well as two employability soft skills-team cooperating, and problem-solving, concluding that PBL approach contributes obviously to the improvement of student's team cooperating and problem-solving, rather than English proficiency compared with traditional approach.
Mobile Learning for Undergraduates
Technology has affected every aspect of human life, amongst all the things teaching learning has no exemption. The study incorporates the enthrallment to find the impact of digitalization on education. Digital teaching has injected action and autonomy by engaging the students and by letting them experience the process of learning. By centralizing the learning experience, the natural workflow is noticed by learners and educators. In this research, it is found that the digital teaching-learning theories such as RAT, SAMR, TPACK, Digital Blooms, and Connectivism concerning Vygotsky's theory have helped teachers and students to outline their critical thinking, innovation and reformation through problem-solving techniques.
No-Nonsense Arabic Vocabulary
The No-Nonsense Arabic Vocabulary book contains 80% of Quranic vocabulary. It is divided by chapter and designed to used in tandem with the No-Nonsense Arabic Textbook and the No-Nonsense Arabic Workbook.
Why is It Called That?
Why is It Called That? The Origin of 350 Everyday WordsHave you ever stopped and wondered why we call things what we do?From everyday expressions to the names of objects you use without a second thought, the origins of words often hide fascinating stories of history, culture, and imagination.Why is it called that? takes you on a journey through 350 carefully selected words and phrases, uncovering their surprising beginnings and how they have evolved through time.Inside this book, you'll discover: ✦ The hidden history behind common everyday words✦ How ancient languages shaped the way we speak today✦ Curious stories of invention, culture, and coincidence✦ Connections between English and Latin, Greek, Old Norse, and more✦ How words reveal the way people once thought, lived, and dreamedWritten in a clear, engaging style, this book is perfect for: Readers who love trivia and wordplayLanguage enthusiasts and etymology fansTeachers, students, and lifelong learnersWords are more than labels - they are living links to the past.By the end of this book, you'll never look at everyday language the same way again.If you've ever asked yourself "Why is it called that?" - this book has the answers.Anyone who enjoys fun facts to share with friends
No-Nonsense Arabic Workbook
This book contains exercises and drills designed to practice the concepts covered in the No-Nonsense Arabic Textbook. The curriculum builds up to the translation of verses of the Quran from Arabic to English.
Fun with English
The book offers a fascinating and concise exploration of the delightful oddities inherent in the English language. It delves into an entertaining array of topics, including curious manias, evocative similes, challenging tongue-twisters, and inventive portmanteau words. This compilation serves as a treasure trove of known and unknown trivia, presenting enjoyable nuggets of information that highlight the unique and often amusing peculiarities of English usage. Designed for a wide audience, it aims to captivate and amuse not only students, teachers, and professionals who work with the language daily but also dedicated aficionados and logophiles. The intent is to provide a lighthearted yet insightful journey through the language's quirky side, moving beyond dry grammar rules to celebrate its character and charm. Ultimately, it empowers all readers to appreciate the playful flexibility of English and enables them to genuinely have some fun with the language, transforming everyday communication into a more engaging and enjoyable experience.
Scarcely English
The English language has evolved throughout its history, and usually for good reasons. However, in recent years, egged on by social media and the ubiquity and velocity of the internet, it has been subject to some grave assaults. There appear no longer to be any rules, in an era when, thanks to the web (another word to have changed its meaning) everyone can be a published author, completely unedited and unregulated. This often has dire consequences for the English tongue. Simon Heffer's A to Z runs though a whole litany of common confusions ('flaunt' and 'flout', 'imply' and 'infer', 'uninterested' and 'disinterested'), unidiomatic English ('fed up of', 'focus around', the use of 'impacted' in such construction as 'the loss impacted him badly'), and lazy expressions (these days every extended activity is an '-athon', every scandal is a 'Something-gate'). It bemoans some truly awful neologisms, 'infotainment' and 'funwashing' among them. And it registers the horror of those of us who do not believe that you can answer the question 'How are you?' with the words 'I'm good'. Trenchant and sprinkled with dry wit, Scarcely English is both a chamber of horrors of bad and lazy English and a plea for accuracy, clear thinking and elegance.
Old English Charms, Poems, and Proverbs 5
Old English (?nglisc) is the earliest recorded form of the English language. It was brought to Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlers in the mid-5th century. The first literary works in Old English date from the mid 7th century. Spelling was not standardised but varied by region and dialect over time.Contained in this book: Precepts (A Father's Instruction To His Son), The Order of the World (On The Wonders of Creation), The Gifts of Men (Of The Endowments and Pursuits of Men), Charm 1 For Unfruitful Land (?cerbot)The texts are presented in their original Old English, with a literal word-for-word line-by-line translation, and a Modern English translation, all side-by-side. In this way, it is possible to see and feel how Old English worked and how it has evolved. Also included are individual word lists for each text, and an overall word list.This book is designed to be of use and interest to anyone with a passion for the Old English language, Anglo-Saxon history, or languages and history in general.
Drama Start
Drama Start: Christmas Edition is a joyful and imaginative collection of drama games, action poems, movement stories, and short festive plays created especially for children aged 3+. Brimming with seasonal sparkle, this book invites children to step into the magical world of elves, reindeer, snowflakes, stars, and Santa Claus, bringing the wonder of Christmas to life through drama and play.Designed with busy educators, facilitators, and parents in mind, this resource is perfect for early years and primary classrooms, after-school clubs, holiday workshops, or home use. The activities are easy to follow, require little to no preparation, and need only minimal resources. From lively warm-ups and festive listening games to creative movement stories and ready-to-use Christmas plays, each section is filled with ideas that spark imagination, encourage expressive communication, and nurture social skills.The book is process-led and child-centred, focusing on building confidence, creativity, and cooperation rather than polished performances. Children can pretend to be reindeer in training, elves in Santa's workshop, or twinkling stars in the night sky, all while developing language skills, collaboration, and storytelling abilities. With activities that are playful yet purposeful, this collection supports both educational outcomes and the sheer joy of festive fun.Whether you are looking to plan a full Christmas programme or simply add a touch of drama to your December sessions, this book offers everything you need to create meaningful and magical experiences. No props, costumes, or stage are required-just a group of children, a safe space to move and imagine, and a little Christmas spirit.A must-have for teachers, childcare professionals, drama facilitators, and parents who want to add creativity, celebration, and festive theatre to their Christmas season.
Easy for You to Say
You have a presentation tomorrow - for your boss, your team, new clients, or an audience of thousands. Where do you start? How do you know the audience will listen, agree, take action (and not fall asleep)? How do you strategically prep for this without sounding robotic and rehearsed? Open this handbook to any page, and you'll find the answers. You can follow the steps in order or skip ahead to your greatest needs. Write all over it, bend the pages, and use the steps to share your story. Backed by the science of adult learning and decades of live & virtual training, "Easy For You To Say" is a simple handbook that elevates your communication and lives up to its name.
Easy for You to Say
You have a presentation tomorrow - for your boss, your team, new clients, or an audience of thousands. Where do you start? How do you know the audience will listen, agree, take action (and not fall asleep)? How do you strategically prep for this without sounding robotic and rehearsed? Open this handbook to any page, and you'll find the answers. You can follow the steps in order or skip ahead to your greatest needs. Write all over it, bend the pages, and use the steps to share your story. Backed by the science of adult learning and decades of live & virtual training, "Easy For You To Say" is a simple handbook that elevates your communication and lives up to its name.
Savage Words
The meaning these texts are intended to convey is rather monotonous; they all say, in one form or another, "I don't like you." Hence, the whole point of producing them is to communicate this age-old message in new and unprecedented ways. We might be rather unimaginative in our day-to-day interactions, but when we sit down to write, a certain degree of novelty is imperative. In fact, one would say that in order to work, no two orationes invectivae can be exactly alike (not even humanistic ones). At the same time, however, one doesn't want to be so inventive that the audience fails to recognize the text for what it actually is. This double constraint (creativity and transparency) produces an endless quantity of variations, and is the real engine of that verbal inventiveness we see at play; ultimately, this is the reason why we find these texts so interesting to study and to write.From the Introduction by Gianluca Rizzo
World Englishes and Social Media
As social media keeps changing, so does the representation of World Englishes across the wide range of platforms available. This edited volume explores the different varieties of English on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Social media platforms showcase an ever-increasing diversity in languages and varieties of languages used on them. Divided into three parts, the book focuses in turn on language variation in digital contexts, identities and social meaning making, and metalinguistic commentary, and ends with a discussion chapter providing an overview of World Englishes and social media. Investigating these areas in detail, the book covers a wealth of topics, including ethical questions and research methodology, linguistic features and creativity, and meta-discourse. By offering up-to-date coverage of English use across different platforms, it provides an in-depth insight into the dynamic space of language variation online.
Conspiracy as Genre
From anti-vaccine politics to aliens, this volume explores diverse critical approaches to conspiracy narratives representing them as playful stories with serious ideologies and effects. It examines conspiracy in relation to social power and authority, moving beyond either disinformation or revelation. In addition, it looks at how the genre of conspiracy is the performance of questioning authority to produce new forms of expertise which frequently stabilize existing power hierarchies. Across three parts, the book theorizes how conspiracy narratives are told, what they do in the social world, and how they circulate these social meanings. Part One offers semiotic and narrative analyses of the language of conspiracy as a genre. Part Two examines the social effects of these narratives, arguing that elite conspiracy is a means to stabilize social power, looking in particular at gender-related conspiracies around feminism, abortion and trans rights. Part Three considers the circulation of conspiracies and the ideologies they narrate, using unique mixed methods approaches to look at multilingual data in sites and communities in Brazil, Germany, and the USA.
Pattern, Construction, System
Construction Grammar and Systemic Functional Grammar take different approaches to the study of lexico-grammar, based on language as a cognitive and as a social phenomenon respectively. This is the first book to bring the two approaches together, using corpus-based Pattern Grammar as an underlying descriptive framework, in order to present a comprehensive and original treatment of verb-based patterns in English. It describes in detail two processes: deriving over 800 verb argument constructions from 50 verb complementation patterns; and using those constructions to populate systemic networks based on 9 semantic fields. The result is an approach to the lexis and grammar of English that unifies disparate theories, finding synergies between them and offering a challenge to each. Pattern Grammar, Construction Grammar and Systemic-Functional Grammar are introduced in an accessible way, making each approach accessible to readers from other backgrounds. This title is also available as open access on Cambridge Core.
Possible Worlds Theory and Readers' Emotional Responses to Literature
This book develops a cognitive stylistic exploration of readers' emotional experiences of literature. Adopting Possible Worlds Theory as a framework, the volume constructs a stylistic analysis of some of the ways in which novels elicit readers' emotions. A typology of past, present, and future textual actual and possible worlds is formulated to frame analysis of three novels: A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates, and The Trick Is to Keep Breathing by Janice Galloway. The author integrates close stylistic analysis with the use of empirical data drawn from reader interviews and online reader reviews. The analysis of these diverse 20th-century novels works to show the utility of the typology for analysis formulated for this book, as well as to demonstrate the value of incorporating empirical reader data in analysis of the ways in which novels may affect readers' emotions.
Linguistics and Oral History
This edited volume brings together linguistic and oral history practitioners to explore the intersections between both disciplines. This book is comprised of contributions from linguists (corpus linguists, sociolinguists, dialectologists and second language acquisition experts) to present how they investigate oral history texts from a linguistic perspective as well as contributions from oral history practitioners who focus on language-related aspects of their subject. In presenting perspectives from both disciplines, this book exposes the synergies that exist between oral history and linguistics including methodological parallels in constructing and analysing written transcriptions of spoken events, analytical approaches to determining salient themes and linguistic items, relevant theoretical perspectives that frame discourse practices in oral histories and the practical considerations facing researchers when investigating large samples of spoken discourse. This book shows that oral historians and linguists are often doing the same things in different ways and makes the case for more collaboration between the disciplines to promote exchange of ideas, efficiency of practice and reciprocal progression.
Communicating Food to Children
This book offers a systematic account of communication on food aimed at children, investigating verbal and visual strategies used in food media in English from synchronic and diachronic perspectives.While there is a wide body of research on food discourse, there has been little to date on children as a particular category of actors within food-related communication. Cesiri integrates work from corpus linguistics, genre analysis, and multimodality to analyze verbal and visual components in media that transmit specialist knowledge and familiarize children with foundational food concepts, the extra-linguistic factors that shape food-related communication, and the ways in which different genres represent culinary traditions to children. The volume features an extensive corpus of technical products such as cookbooks, commercial products such as advertisements, and institutional products such as leaflets from international institutions. In applying a multi-layered perspective to a diverse range of food-related communication materials, Cesiri seeks to unpack whether potential differences in communicative strategies can be attributed to the source culture of interactants or those shared by a specific community of actors, and in turn, further insights into the nature of domain-specific discourse.This volume will appeal to scholars in discourse analysis, multimodality, corpus linguistics, and childhood studies.
Unrealized Arguments and the Grammar of Context
In null instantiation (NI) an optionally unexpressed argument receives either anaphoric or existential interpretation. One cannot accurately predict a predicator's NI potential based either on semantic factors (e.g., Aktionsart class of the verb) or pragmatic factors (e.g., relative discourse prominence of arguments), but NI potential, while highly constrained, is not simply lexical idiosyncrasy. It is instead the product of both lexical and constructional licensing. In the latter case, a construction can endow a verb with NI potential that it would not otherwise have. Using representational tools of sign based construction grammar, this Element offers a lexical treatment of English null instantiation that covers both distinct patterns of construal of null-instantiated arguments and the difference between listeme-based and contextually licensed, thus construction-based, null complementation.
Language and Social Justice
Language, whether spoken, written, or signed, is a powerful resource that is used to facilitate social justice or undermine it. The first reference resource to use an explicitly global lens to explore the interface between language and social justice, this volume expands our understanding of how language symbolizes, frames, and expresses political, economic, and psychic problems in society, thus contributing to visions for social justice. Investigating specific case studies in which language is used to instantiate and/or challenge social injustices, each chapter provides a unique perspective on how language carries value and enacts power by presenting the historical contexts and ethnographic background for understanding how language engenders and/or negotiates specific social justice issues. Case studies are drawn from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America and the Pacific Islands, with leading experts tackling a broad range of themes, such as equality, sovereignty, communal well-being, and the recognition of complex intersectional identities and relationships within and beyond the human world. Putting issues of language and social justice on a global stage and casting light on these processes in communities increasingly impacted by ongoing colonial, neoliberal, and neofascist forms of globalization, Language and Social Justice is an essential resource for anyone interested in this area of research.
Semiotics with a Conscience
Demonstrating how semiotic theory and method can be applied to decoding false representations and dangerous discourses, this book explores how semiotics can be used as a potentially powerful science of conscience. Confronting the sometimes negative perception of semiotics as academically inward-looking and lacking in morality, Marcel Danesi turns this view on its head. Instead, Danesi highlights how the same techniques that have allowed the use of semiotics for self-serving commercial purposes, such as advertising or marketing, could also be applied to deciphering current world problems. Through describing the semiotic notions and methods that can be used to analyze misrepresentations, propaganda, or meaning collapses, the book enables readers to become conscientiously aware of their hidden meanings and the harmful effects that they have on society. Identifying key issues of concern, such as climate change and anti-science discourses, it shows how they can be interpreted in terms of basic semiotic theory. This analysis of crucial issues demonstrates how semiotics can be used to raise awareness of critically important matters in modern society, and to encourage the development of more robust and ethical attitudes towards them.
Supplement to the Akkadian Dictionaries
The Akkadian (Babylonian-Assyrian) lexicon is currently accessible via two reference dictionaries, Wofram von Soden's Akkadisches Handworterbuch (1958-1981) and The Assyrian Dictionary of the University of Chicago (1956-2010). However, due to a large number of new cuneiform texts published during the last decades, both dictionaries are outdated in part, especially in their earlier volumes. The Supplement to the Akkadian Dictionaries (SAD), funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, is meant to update both dictionaries. Without any claim to be comprehensive, SAD evaluates a strictly defined text corpus and a limited amount of secondary literature. SAD pays particular attention to new words, new verbal stems, and references which expand the distribution of a word or help to define its meaning, form or etymology. SAD volume L, M, N, R contains 1354 lemmata, among them 301 new words.
The Marginalia Fan's Pocket Journal
Some readers simply read books. Others talk back.The Marginalia Fan's Pocket Journal is a guided companion created for the readers who underline favourite lines, highlight in rainbow colors, doodle in the margins, or argue with the author when the story takes a turn. If you've ever felt that white space on the page is wasted space, this journal was made for you.Inside you'll discover carefully designed prompts, decorative icons, and writing spaces that invite you to: Record unforgettable quotes and add your personal reactionsSwatch your favourite pens and highlighters to create your color codeCollect the funniest or sharpest margin notes you've ever seenExperiment with symbols, arrows, doodles, and other margin shortcutsReflect on your annotation style and what it says about you as a readerCapture the emotional journey of reading: the lines that made you laugh, argue, or cryThe result is a keepsake of your reading life: part reading journal, part creative workbook, part time capsule.Printed on cream paper for a comfortable, bookish feel, this pocket-sized journal travels easily in a bag or book stack. It is beautifully illustrated with icons and decorative flourishes that make every page feel like an open invitation to scribble, note, and create.Perfect for: Readers who follow BookTok and Bookstagram annotation trendsAnyone who loves to personalize their books with highlights and notesBook club members looking to capture insights and memorable quotesWriters, students, or critics who use annotation as a creative toolGift-givers searching for something fresh, bookish, and originalWhy it works: this isn't just a notebook, it's an identity. Using it reinforces that you belong to the growing community of readers who see books as interactive conversations rather than silent objects. Each page you fill strengthens your connection to the story you're reading and creates a tangible record you can look back on. Your notes become a mirror of your reading life, a treasure that no one else could duplicate.Whether your style is neat, chaotic, colorful, or cryptic, The Marginalia Fan's Pocket Journal helps you celebrate the art of annotation and claim your place in a long tradition of readers who leave their mark.Margins are the new canvas. Make them yours.
World Englishes as Components of a Complex Dynamic System
This Element proposes to view World Englishes as components of an overarching Complex Dynamic System of Englishes, against the conventional view of regarding them as discrete, rule-governed, categorial systems. After outlining this basic idea and setting it off from mainstream linguistic theories, it introduces the theory of Complex Dynamic Systems and the main properties of such systems (systemness, complexity, perpetual dynamics, network relationships, the interplay of order and chaos, emergentism and self-organization, nonlinearity and fractals, and attractors), and surveys earlier applications to language. Usage-based linguistics and construction grammar are outlined as suitable frameworks to explain how the Complex Systems principles manifest themselves in linguistic reality. Many structural properties and examples from several World Englishes are presented to illustrate the manifestations of Complex Systems principles in specific features of World Englishes. Finally, the option of employing the NetLogo programming environment to simulate variety emergence via agent-based modeling is suggested.
