Webster's New World Dictionary of Media and Communications [Paperback]

Richard Weiner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1996 | ISBN-10: 0028606116 | ISBN-13: 978-0028606118 | Edition: Rev Sub

Selected by Library Journal as "one of the best reference books of the year", this extraordinary dictionary is the first ever to define and explain all of the specialized terms used in the many diverse worlds of communications. Its more than 35,000 entries -- including such terms as audiotex, flanging, gimbal, outcue, rain lap, rowback, splitscan, and zip pan -- span the fields of advertising, broadcasting, computer graphics, journalism, marketing, photography, publishing, recording, television, theater, and more. Now greatly expanded, this new edition has been updated throughout to cover all of the very latest technological developments in these rapidly evolving fields. For everyone involved in the fast-changing world of media and communications, this superb reference is sure to be an indispensable guide.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Comprehensive coverage of the specialized terminology of all fields of media and communications: from advertising, book production, and broadcasting to telecommunications, theater, and typography. A must-have reference for anyone working in any area of media and communications--which, increasingly, includes almost everyone.

From Library Journal

The audiences for these three resources on media and communications will range widely. Silverblatt and Eliceiri's dictionary is quite specialized, devoted solely to terms, concepts, organizations, and people associated with the narrow subfield of media literacy, which involves developing analytical skills to evaluate the quality of information disseminated by mass media. International in scope, the work includes a lengthy bibliography and references at the end of many entries. Watson and Hill's dictionary, which first appeared in 1984 and has become a standard work in the United Kingdom, furnishes broad coverage of mass communications terminology. Unfortunately, it has limited value in North America due to its heavy British emphasis, as evidenced by the entries on "Defamation," "Libel," and "Slander," for instance. Weiner's work, originally published in 1990 (LJ 6/15/90) and named an LJ Best Reference Book for that year, has been updated to reflect new vocabulary in the communications media, e.g., "home page" and "Internet." By far the largest and most current work of its kind, the lexicon concisely defines some 35,000 technical and slang terms in language readily comprehensible to nonspecialists. A work of impressive quality, Weiner's revised edition deserves a place in all but the smallest public and academic libraries. Only journalism and communications libraries need consider the other two works.?Ken Kister, author of "Best Encyclopedias," Tampa, Fla.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 676 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan General Reference; Rev Sub edition (June 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028606116
• ISBN-13: 978-0028606118
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,252,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a dictionary; no one should be without this book., January 17, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Webster's New World Dictionary of Media and Communications (Paperback)

"Webster's New World Dictionary of Media and Communications" By Richard Weiner, Macmillan Publishing ISBN 0-02-860611-6 The glossaries that are on web sites usually are too skimpy, in number and length of the definitions. That's why most of us still use dictionaries and other reference books. One of the most useful specialized dictionaries is Webster's New World Dictionary of Media and Communications, recently published by Macmillan. The 678-page paperback is the most comprehensive collection ever published of technical and slang terms in 28 fields, including advertising, computer, film, journalism, marketing, printing, public relations, radio, telecommunications, television and theater. Written by Richard Weiner, a renowned public relations counselor, the book combines easy-to-read definitions with useful information for students and experts. The 35,000 "base entries" and related terms are more than in any advertising, film, literacy, television or theater dictionary. Several hundred definitions are not in any other dictionary. Another unique feature is the global orientation, with hundreds of British, Canadian, French, German and Japanese words used by film buffs and business people. Listings include abbreviations, acronyms, associations, awards, biographical dates and several hundred major companies in the media and communications fields, including headquarters cities. Current jargon, nicknames and slang are supplemented with historical information, particularly 19th century printing and publishing terms that are still used. Pithy comments call attention to words that are commonly used incorrectly, misspelled or mispronounced. The book will be useful to the many millions of people who are employed in the broadcasting, postal, promotion, telephone and other communications fields, as well as to freelancers, students, writers and computer users, and the many people who are media buffs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book can get you a job in media and communications., September 14, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Webster's New World Dictionary of Media and Communications (Paperback)

At a job interview, or on the job,it really helps to speak to kmow the lingo of the field. This book has thousands of definitions of technical and slang words used by reporters, broadcasters, printers, advertisers, theatrical and many other media and communications fields, plus helpful hints. It is only $27.95, and Amazon's price is even less! I'm really excited about this investment, and it's easy to read and enjoy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Authoritative dictionary of today's media, March 8, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Webster's New World Dictionary of Media and Communications (Hardcover)

With so many specialized dictionaries abounding, it's a pleasure to report that Weiner's is truly useful for today's communicator. As an advertising/public relations practitioner with a deep interest in the graphic arts, I actually enjoyed finding so many technical terms accurately and often wittily defined. If you're looking for a minibrute to do your bidding, need an Oxberry unit, a Goudy other than Curt, or need a few minutes with a goyu, you're in luck here. You'll even find a goon stand or two, plus a much needed puncheon. All in all, a very valuable and solid book. It is now on my desk permanently, along with Skeat's Etymological Dictionary (1910) and the American Heritage Dictionary (1992). I've been using it daily for the past three months. Highly recommended.