English Vocabulary: The Basics

<p><span>English Vocabulary: The Basics</span><span> offers a clear, non-jargonistic introduction to English vocabulary, the way linguists classify and explain it, and the place of vocabulary in our overall picture of the language, and in society. Introducing a range of terminology for discussing vocabulary, the reader is provided with a coherent, structured description of what we know about words and their meanings. </span></p><p><span>Key features of this book include: </span></p><p><span>• Analysis of historical roots of present-day words </span></p><p><span>• Coverage of the differences between speech and writing and between formality and informality </span></p><p><span>• Understanding of the social implications of choices that readers make to use standard or non-standard (e.g., regional/dialect) vocabulary </span></p><p><span>• A focus on British English with reference to a wide range of varieties of English that include North American English, Irish English, Indian English, Malaysian English, Nigerian English and Caribbean English.</span></p><p><span>Featuring a glossary of key terms, cartoons and illustrations, further reading, reflection points, interesting "factoids" and examples from corpora from around the world, this book is an engaging and thought-provoking read for anyone with an interest in English vocabulary.</span></p>