Reviews (92)

Chomsky Meets Gladwell
I stumbled upon this title last summer while searching Amazon for something interesting to read. Skipping over it at that point for one reason or another, however, I was again recommended this text as a supplement for a Linguistics course in which I am enrolled this fall. This is certainly no textbook in Linguistics, but it does serve as an interesting, easy-to-read work that makes contemporary, Chomsky-driven Linguistics (especially with regard to Universal Grammar and Cognitive Science) highly accessible. Pinker's writing, while sometimes manic and even unclear, still manages to captivate and seize attention easily in the same manner as other recent nonfiction texts (Malcolm Gladwell's are two such examples). With an intended audience of linguistic-laymen readers, Pinker has certainly succeeded in making boring textbook linguistics interesting, in furnishing his text with pertinent examples, and in bringing contemporary linguistics to the masses. As other reviewers have noted, one should remain skeptical and critical of Pinker's proposed theories (as is necessary with all such writing), but I would certainly recommend this text to anyone even slightly interested in the subject.

Left-Brainers Lack Empathy.
The language instinct is a set of interrelated capacities and functions in the brain and body that produce speech (and also writing and signing).Pinker calls this unity of parts and potentialities "modules." This book is his effort to make the case for his theory of how our language module operates.
Understanding language - fascinating, and vital for writers!
Steven Pinker has written a fascinating account of how language works; how we, as listeners, process the sounds that make up words and sentences in a way that allows us to extract meaning. The book is clear, entertaining and very accessible; Pinker's writing style is witty and engaging.
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Subjects:  1. Biolinguistics    2. Grammar    3. Language and languages    4. Life Sciences - Human Anatomy & Physiology    5. Linguistics    6. Neuropsychology    7. Psychology    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / Grammar    11. Psycholinguistics   

Reviews (25)

must have
THIS BOOK IS A MUST FOR THE INDIVIDUAL WHO TRULY WANTS TO UNDERSTAND THE ESSENCE OF ASL.I HAVE TAKEN ASL 1 IN COLLEGE AND READING THIS BOOK JUST CLARIFIED ALL OF WHAT I HAD LEARNED IN CLASS.IT BROUGHT AMPLIFICATION AND TRUE COMPREHENSION.I HAVE HARDLY BEEN ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN.IT HAS BUILT UP MY CONFIDENCE SO MUCH THAT I ACTUALLY WENT AND SIGNED TO TWO OF MY INSTRUCTORS WITH TOTAL CONFIDENCE AND ACCURACY.IT IS WONDERFUL!

Good for Beginners
This book is clear, with sketched pictures instead of photographs.It places the signs in the order that one would use them in ASL.While I would recommend this book for beginners in sign, it just doesn't offer much vocabulary beyond conversational sign.

It's good, but I wish it were longer
The illustrations are well done, and the language presented is very helpful.I would like to see a longer book with more examples.When I first saw the book, I was concerned that the illustrations would not be specific enough, but they are quite well thought through and easy to read once you understand the notation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American sign language    2. Dictionaries    3. Dictionaries - General    4. Language Arts & Disciplines    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Reference    7. Sign Language    8. Sign Language For The Deaf    9. Language Arts & Disciplines / Sign Language    10. Sign languages, Braille & other linguistic communication   

Reviews (5)

Good resource!
Good resource for writing!Easy to locate topics and easy to understand!

NOT The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need
If you want information on how/when to use reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, etc), and when not to use them, this book won't help you whatsoever. It explains what reflexive pronouns are, but says nothing about usage.

Great for young and old
Being a native English speaker, my biggest concern about English grammar was during college when I was ensuring that my papers, exams, etc., were good enough to help me pull good grades.It wasn't until I began to pick up other languages, especially Spanish, that English grammar grabbed my attention.
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Subjects:  1. English Grammar    2. English language    3. Grammar    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    8. Linguistics    9. Writing Skills    10. English    11. Grammar & vocabulary   

Reviews (14)

Great Reference!
This book is invaluable to any University or College student, or anybody that writes at all for that matter.
The Little Brown Compact Handbook
This book is indispensable in helping the student create quality and error-free formal class papers.The LBCH is easy to read, divides aides by category, and gives examples of the help the student is searching for.I recommend this book to any new student entering college.

Well Done
Thank you Amazon! Great Product, great price, making my college books very reasonable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    2. English language    3. Grammar    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    8. Reference    9. Rhetoric    10. English    11. Reference works    12. Writing & editing guides    13. Writing skills   

Reviews (10)

fastest delivery
I have never received anything so quick buying off the internet. Few days and I had the book in my hand. I was pleasantly surprised.

very definitive, really a must read
this is an import pre-req to any research/inquiry into this field.

Very technical
Only buy this book if you want a very technical book about this subject. I bought this book because I was generally interested in this research field... and I never read it. If you are a researcher or a student studying this field, then this might be a good book. Otherwise, there are books that you will probably enjoy more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computational Linguistics    2. Language    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Linguistics    6. Mathematical Linguistics    7. Statistical methods    8. Cognitive theory    9. Language & Linguistics    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / Linguistics    11. Natural language & machine translation   

Reviews (6)

Do we really need political bias in a tranlation book?
I was really looking forward to using this book on our next trip to Paris, until I read the section in which it defines Jean-Marie Le Pen's Front National party as an "extremist, racist party". I mean, after the events over the past year (car burnings, riots, cartoons, etc) it would behoove Mr. Steve's to pray that Le Pen's party wins the next election, or he will be writing a book on how to speak Arabic instead of French

Great for learning the basics
I am very impressed by this book and how easily it teaches the pronunciation of this difficult-to-learn language.It's pocket-sized, and has commonly used words inside the front and back covers for easy reference.There is also a handy 'menu guide' --- very important for travellers with finicky eating habits!We leave for France again in a month ... and definitely feel more comfortable approaching the language barrier with this book in tow.

great remedial course
I haven't spoken French since high school, & I'm planning my first trip to Europe (including Paris). This book is really helping me remember all the tricky parts of the language, but it doesn't bog me down with the grammar that my old French teacher tried to drill into my head! This book has the important stuff, like ordering in a restaurant. It's small enough to fit in my pocket, so I know I'll use it a lot. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries - General    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Foreign Language Study    4. French    5. French Language    6. Grammar    7. Language    8. Multi-Language Dictionaries    9. Multi-Language Phrasebooks    10. Bilingual dictionaries    11. Language self-study & phrasebooks   

Reviews (3)

Words, Words, Words
This is a great book that explains how students learn new words and build their vocabulary.It gives you strategies that will allow students to hold onto what they learn and begin to use new vocabulary in their everyday language.Excellent for professional development.

A Must-Have Book for Educators
Regardless if you are teaching elementary school or middle school, you have students in your classroom who are poor readers and writers.Janet Allen's book -- all of them, for that matter -- are comprehensive guides to providing tips and strategies on how to assist them to "own their learning."So many pages of this book are folded down, as a means to remind me to use the strategy in my own classroom.Her book recommendations are also very handy, especially when you want to model different instructional strategies on learning new vocabulary while reading.
One of the best books on vocabulary instruction
Janet Allen has done a terrific job of blending theory with practice.Taking the last twenty years of research on vocabulary, Allen synthesizes the major guiding principles and illustrates a variety of strategies forhelping students to acquire and develop vocabulary.As always, Allenwrites in a clear, reader-friendly, no-nonsense style--a refreshing changefrom many of the language arts books in the field.As a reading specialistfor the past twenty years, I highly recommend her new book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Elementary    4. Language arts    5. Study and teaching    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - Language Arts    7. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    8. Vocabulary   

Subjects:  1. Education / Teaching    2. Elementary    3. English Etymology    4. English Orthography    5. English language    6. Etymology    7. Language    8. Language Arts & Disciplines    9. Orthography and spelling    10. Problems, exercises, etc    11. Roots    12. Spelling    13. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    14. Education    15. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading    16. English    17. Industrial or vocational training    18. Modern languages: reading skills    19. Primary / junior schools   

Reviews (2)

Great interactive CD
The interactive CD includes websites, video clips, audio clips, and tests, that increase interest in the subject matter.It's fun.

Interpersonally...
...I read this book for an undergraduate class and thought it was very good.One problem-- the final chapter was too brief, they should have split it into three like the previous edition. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Communication    2. Interpersonal Communication    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Language    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    7. Textbooks    8. Communication Studies    9. Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication    10. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (2)

A Good Freshman Composition Reader
While I am just starting to use this edition (6th) of the text, I have been happy with The Macmillan Reader since I began using the 5th edition in 1999.The chapters on academic reading and the writing process are thorough (but a bit dry), and the portions of the text that deal with each method of development are well-developed and thought out so as to help students get the best idea of what a "good" essay of each variety should and shouldn't include. Worth It!
This may be a textbook, but it is definately worth buying.The instructions on writing were clear and helpful, and the essays were wonderful.I can honestly say that I liked almost every essay in the book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. College readers    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    3. Composition & Creative Writing - General    4. English Composition    5. English language    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    9. Problems, exercises, etc    10. Readers    11. Report writing    12. Rhetoric    13. Creative writing guides    14. English    15. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing   

Reviews (1)

Word Journeys by Kathy Ganske
Word Journeys is a great supplementary resource to educators who are familiar with word study.Ganske includes a straightforward introduction to developmental word knowledge and assessment of same.Her years ofclassroom experience make this an authentic and highly usable text.Teachers will find the supplemental word lists in Appendix 1 to be a greatsource of words for sorting activities and the reproducible forms inAppendix 2 easy to use and very practical.Those who are new to word studywill find this text easier to follow than Words TheirWay(Bear,Templeton,Invernizzi and Johnston).Word Journeys is a welcomeaddition to the field of spelling and word study. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. English language    4. Language    5. Linguistics    6. Orthography and spelling    7. Phonetic method    8. Phonetics & Phonics    9. Phonology And Phonetics    10. Reading    11. Reading Education (General)    12. Study and teaching    13. Teaching Methods & Materials - Language Arts    14. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    15. Vocabulary    16. English    17. Language Arts & Disciplines / Reading Skills    18. Teaching of a specific subject   

Reviews (5)

Good introductory text
This book provides a good introduction to many areas of linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, historical linguistics, language acquisition and computational linguistics.The approach is basically Chomskian.
An Excellent Introduction
I am not a Linguist, but this book helped me to appreciate all of the differing theories and various fields within what is known as linguistics. If you are seeking a book that is simple to read, yet very comprehensive, I recommend this volume. If you enjoy languages, speech development, regional dialects, language acquisition, theory of language, language trends, and more - this book is for you. Excellent introduction to linguistics
"Contemporary Linguistics" (CL) isa wonderfully clear and accessible introduction to the field of linguistics.The authors begin by introducing the methodological assumptions that underlie present dayChomskyan linguistics and then reserve a chapter each for almost all majorresearch directions within linguistics.Read more

Subjects:  1. Language    2. Language Arts & Disciplines    3. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    4. Linguistics   

Reviews (12)

Simply the Best
I have used this dictionary for 15 years, and it has never let me down. What amazes me is that it is so versatile. A word would have to be pretty obscure (medieval, ecclesiastical) to not be in here. Unbeatable.

Libellus Parvus, Libellus Potens
The Bantam New College Latin & English Dictionary provides a lot of Latin for little money.Bantam's is compact, easy to use, and gives a nice reference guide for nouns, verbs, and adjectives in the beginning.Tolle legeque, amice!Vale.

Best darn Latin dictionary on the market
I just wanted to add another vote of confidence for this marvelous dictionary.I got through 4 years of college Latin with it, and almost never failed to find the word I was looking for.I particularly appreciate the idiomatic expressions highlighted in bold typeface, to make it easy to skim down the definition to find the one you're looking for.Its only downfall is that, as a paperback, it begins to get a bit well-thumbed, leading the serious Latinist to think, a little wistfully, that it would be nice if it came in a hardbound edition.But for a mere six bucks, you can easily afford to buy a replacement.Personally, I own two. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. English    3. English language    4. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    5. Latin    6. Latin language    7. Polyglot Dictionaries    8. Reference    9. Language Arts & Disciplines / Reference   

Reviews (3)

Pretty good
This book is pretty good.It has photocopiable games at the back that I use fairly often.My only complaint about this book is that it isn't organized in a way that lets me find specific activities for practicing specific grammar points.It's organized by type of game (i.e. picture games, word games, acting, etc.)But all in all, it's pretty good

fun and fluency building for the language learner
"Keep Talking" contains over one hundred differentfluency-building activities for the language teacher to use eitherdirectly, or with modification, in her language classroom. Each activityhas a well defined purpose, whether it be functional or structural, and iscategorized according to language level, skill and student arrangement,stating clearly whether or not preparation is necessary, and how long thetasks typically take. The procedural instructions are lucid and relativelyeasy to convey to most groups of language learners, and there is also scopefor variation for many of these language games, along with helpful commentson how make such activities fun and achievable. If one also includes theimportance of making notes, and obtaining feedback, which Kippel suggestsin the introduction, then it is clear just how useful this book is.Although I was at first confused as to why the author grouped his languagelearning activities under themes such as jigsaw task, interview, or storytelling, rather than according to function or structure, I think his pointis to focus on fluency and engendering a communicative atmosphere, ratherthan to actually teach anything or practice something too specific. Theteacher's role, therefore, appears to be as a facilitator or classroommanager. In any case, the indexes include language structure (but notfunction) and level, making navigating relatively straight-forward."Keep Talking" also contains about sixty worksheets which can becopied for use in class. Although I no longer use them in my teachingsituation, I borrow ideas from them all the time. This book is not suitablefor formal institutions, but otherwise, whether you are new to languageteaching, or a seasoned pro, I feel fairly confident that there issomething in this book for you.

An ESL Teacher's Best Friend
As an ESL teacher in China for the past 12 years, I have found this book a great help and, at times, a life-saver."Keep Talking" is one of the best sources of English language games and activities for the ESLclassroom.Logically arranged and with clear instructions on how to use,lanaguage level, time needed and aim of the activity, this book is a mustfor all ESL teachers, but especially for those teaching for a year or twooverseas without strong formal ESL training.You won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education / Teaching    2. English As A Second Language    3. Foreign Language Study    4. Language    5. Language and languages    6. Linguistics    7. Problems, exercises, etc    8. Study and teaching    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    10. ELT: teaching theory & methods    11. English    12. Foreign Language Study / English as a Second Language    13. Language and languages--Study and teaching--Problems, exercises, etc   

Reviews (39)

Very Good
This book really makes you UNDERSTAND the new words you're learning. It's not just about memorization, thank god!

Best Vocabulary Book Ever
Though there are many books for enhancing vocabulary, this book by Norman Lewis is THE BEST.I used this book in high school over 20 years ago and recently purchased it to help tutor my 8th grade daughter. In flipping through the pages, I discovered that I actually remember nearly all of these words due to the ingenious, but simple format used by Norman Lewis. This elegant format is grouping words that have similar meanings together. For example, there are chapters on medical professionals, personality types, types of prevarication, insults, and words of praise. By learning words in semantically related groups, they store together in your memory.Studying words with similar meanings together also fosters an appreciation of the nuances of difference. It's a fantastic way to learn vocabulary that you'll retain.You can skip the earlier book, 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk & Norman Lewis.The earlier book has a similar format, but fewer words, shorter definitions, and a less engaging layout.
Great Learning Experience
I'm skeptical of books like this. My view on expanding vocabulary is to simply read a lot and if you see a word you don't understand, then look it up. Magically, you now know what that word means. But this book surprised me, though I didn't initially realize it until much, much later, well after finishing the book and all the numerous exercises.
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Subjects:  1. Reference    2. Vocabulary    3. Education / Reference    4. Thesauri   

Reviews (1)

Great Book!
This book is not only informative, but also clinician-friendly. It is very well-written, and a "must" for any graduate student or new clinician in communication disorders. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Articulation disorders    2. Audiology & Speech Pathology    3. English Phonetics    4. English language    5. Medical    6. Neuropsychology    7. Phonetics    8. Phonetics & Phonics    9. Psychology    10. Speech Disorders (Medical Aspects)    11. English    12. Medical / Audiology & Speech Pathology    13. Performing Arts   

Reviews (21)

FANTASTIC AND BRILLIANT
I am only about 20 percent finished Empires of the Word and cannot put it down. One of the most interesting perspectives on World History I have ever read, and I am an avid History buff.
good work
This work, although focuses its attention on the main languages of the world, accesorily informs us on the importance and destiny of many other languages, so that who looks for a general historyof the languages will no be dissapointed. Matters as the pervivence of Sanskrit in the Far East, the diffusion of Spanish in Latin America together with the survival of the "lenguas generales", or the undisputed predominance of English in North America finds a detailed chronicle and a sagacious interpretation. Also does the failure of German, Japanese and Russian in their attempts to unify peoples under their linguistic expression. Or the role of French, that surpasses the failure of a dissapointing colonial policy thanks to the intellectual brightness of its cultural legacy.
The travails of tongues
Language is a touchy issue.Here in Canada, it's the foundation for our "Two Solitudes" of Anglo- and Franco-Canadians.Social mores, politics and education are bound up with the native language of the people engaging in debates.While this may seem like a local and limited problem, Ostler provides a sweeping picture of how language issues have permeated human history. Some have risen only to be swept away by invasions or shifts in population.Others, under the same stresses, have endured and even prospered.Is there a key to understanding why some languages have sustained their use while others fade?With immense scholarship and some fine language of his own, the author attempts to answer this and other questions about the durability of languages.
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Subjects:  1. Historical Linguistics    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Language    6. Language and languages    7. Linguistics    8. Social History    9. World - General    10. History / World   

Editorial Review

Jack Griffin argues that it's vital to sell yourself--and your ideas--every day. In Read more

Reviews (10)

Is this a vocabulary review?
I was more interested in reading about different perspectives in the business environment, and the most effective way to communicate between different roles. I did not buy the book to memorize long lists of words and phrases - the "good" ones and the "bad" ones.
Excellent and essential book for everyone
I started teaching people to make PowerPoint presentations around 1992. Around 1995, I realized that many people were talking about themselves, so I suggested that the most important word they could use was "You." In 2003, I realized that people who wanted to be accepted by their audience should use the word "We." And then I picked up this book and read that the the three most important words in a business person's vocabulary were "we," "us," and "our." And that was on page eleven. At that point I was sold.
Good ideas for the tongue-tied.
This is an excellent book for anyone who thinks of the right response about three days too late.This book also provides a good framework on which to base verbal communication.It is especially useful for anyone that is shy, non-assertive, non-confrontational, or simply wants to put forth a professional image.I use it as an example in my Customer Service and Career Search classes and the students love it!Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business communication    5. Business/Economics    6. Communication    7. Communication in organizations    8. Oral communication    9. Business communication & presentation    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication   

Reviews (2)

College textbook price-gouging going on here.
$67 for a paperback book is highway roberry.
Here is what counts
I am an affectionate critic of "Legacies," as both editors wereteachers of mine and many of the contributors were co-teachers with me inthe mid-1990s. Regardless, I used the book for several years and theresults speak volumes.Read more

Subjects:  1. Classics    2. College readers    3. English language    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Literature - Classics / Criticism    7. Literature: Classics    8. Problems, exercises, etc    9. Report writing    10. Rhetoric    11. Classic fiction    12. Language Arts & Disciplines / General    13. Literature: Texts   

Reviews (5)

Almost "The One Textbook" for Photojournalism
I have been using Kobre's excellent book as a text for teaching Introductory Photojournalism ever since the first edition; it has always been the best source out there for teaching and has improved with each edition.I consider the current (5th Edition) is be almost "The ONE Textbook" for learning everything you need to knowfor understanding and practicing Photojournalism. A bit more on layout and design for Picture Stories would make it perfect.
Tremendously useful; a photojournalist's bible
I bought this book for a photography class at Temple University, and it now serves as a wonderful guide and mentor toward all aspects of photojournalism. Readings from this book provided much debate and learning experiences for our class. Best book in Photojournalism you will ever read.
I'm been reading this book for a Photo course. The Material on it is quite interesting and the writing is pretty clear. I have been studing photography for about 3 years now and by far this is one of the best books you could ever hold on your book shell. A++ to a great writter and author. Will recomend this book to other college students that are persuding to go into the a photo journalist aventure like myself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Photo Techniques    2. Photography    3. Photojournalism    4. Photographic reportage    5. Photography / Photojournalism    6. Press & journalism