International Encyclopedia of Linguistics: 4-volume set [Hardcover]

William Bright (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0195051963 | ISBN-13: 978-0195051964 | Edition: 1

A four-volume reference comprising approximately seven hundred alphabetically ordered entries, the IEL provides detailed and up-to-date information on all branches of linguistics. The IEL encompasses the full range of the contemporary field of linguistics, including historical, comparative, formal, mathematical, functional, and philosophical linguistics. It gives special attention to interrelations within branches of linguistics and to relations of linguistics with other disciplines, and covers areas of intersection with the social and behavioral sciences, as well as interdisciplinary work in language and literatures, mathematical linguistics, computational linguistics, and applied linguistics. Providing abundant examples with literal glosses and English translations, the IEL offers extensive coverage of languages and language families, from English and Japanese to Hittite and Yoruba. Bringing together the latest information on the diverse subject matters of linguistics, and including a network of cross references, this encyclopedia is an invaluable resource.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Articles by some 400 scholarly linguists describe concisely many linguistic sub-specialties and concepts. A useful feature is the large number of articles on specific languages or language families, from Akkadian to Zapotec. (Zulu is treated under African languages.) Articles are arranged alphabetically, but appendixes group subjects into topic areas and languages into families. A glossary defines terms; cross references and an index direct the reader to the right article. Numerous bibliographies and some excellent illustrations are provided. As the preface indicates, the work is intended for experts, and some articles are quite technical. Therefore, public libraries will probably wish to continue using David Crystal's very readable Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language ( LJ 5/1/88) or the general encyclopedias. Recommended for academic libraries.
- Catherine V. von Schon, SUNY at Stony Brook
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"An essential reference work for linguists of various kinds, for linguistic anthropologists, and for anyone whose work involves regular use of language data. Moreover, the quality, accessibility, and interest of the contents make it enjoyable reading for its own sake."--Anthropological Linguistics

"If one wants a single comprehensive work...the choice should be the IEL....Highly recommended for all academic libraries, community college onwards."--Choice

"Invaluable for making easily accessible a great deal of factual information."--Times Literary Supplement

"The binding and layout are superb, th typography is a pleasure to read, and the diagrams are clear. I expected a great feast of compulsive reading, and I was not disappointed."--Times Higher Education Supplement

"This major work is destined to become a classic in the study of linguistics and adjacent fields....Belongs in the collections of all university libraries and in most large public libraries."--Library Journal

"An essential purchase for academic libraries supporting teaching and research in this discipline. Other academic and large public libraries should consider purchase for its coverage of interdisciplinary topics."--Booklist/RBB

"This is a splendid production. Comprehensive and easy to use, the encyclopedia manages to map the central concerns of contemporary linguistics in such a way that outsiders will not only be able to find what they are looking for but will also be persuaded to explore further....It seems to fill a gap in the reference material available to non-specialist researchers who need comprehensive, contemporary information on any area of linguistics."--Language and Literature

"A genuine achievement in information collection and dissemination....It is what an encyclopedia is meant to be."--TESOL Quarterly

"This is an excellent work, highly trustworthy, the very best in the field of linguistics but also in comparison with encyclopedias in other domains. It should be present in every library, not only linguistic or general, but also libraries of the social and psychological sciences, and of neurophysiology, mathematics, artificial intelligence, and the like."--Linguistics

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1856 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (January 9, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195051963
• ISBN-13: 978-0195051964
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.5 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,156,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)