Customer Reviews

Lexicology: A Short Introduction

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This is one heck of a beautifully written little book. It starts out addressing the question of what is a word, then goes on to discuss the dictionary and the thesaurus, very effectively contrasting the two in structure and in approach. It gives a nice overview of the development of dictionaries going back over two millennia, and then discusses the more recent evolution of the dictionary and of the thesaurus in England. There are sections on words in language, words and meaning, etymology, prescription vs. description, the relation between language and reality, and the relationship between language and culture. There is a beautiful little section dealing with the problems of translation. Throughout, there are copious and well-selected and -described examples of the various points that the authors make. The content is very interesting, and the writing is superb, thus infusing with life and with interest what might easily have degenerated into a dry tome. I found myself unable to put the book down, so fascinating was it. I read all 104 pages in two sittings, and took copious notes. A lovely work, which was a pleasure to read.