General Reference Resources for Linguistics
Please direct all comments or requests for information to Paula
Carns at the Literatures & Languages Library
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pcarns@illinois.edu
Bibliographies
Gazdar, Gerald et al.
A Bibliography of Contemporary Linguistic
Research. New York: Garland, 1978.
016.41 G25b (Main Stacks; Main Stacks Reference; Oak St. Facility)
- Focuses on journal articles, conference proceedings, specialist anthologies, and para-journals.
Excludes books and book reviews. Includes language and subject indexes.
Wares, Alan Campbell.
Bibliography of the Summer Institute of
Linguistics. Dallas: The Institute, 1992.
016.41 W229 B 1992 (Main Stacks Reference)
- From the foreword: "a comprehensive listing of the works of SIL members in the areas of
linguistics, anthropology, literacy and community development, and translations of the Bible and
Bible-related literature. previous editions did not include Biblical materials." p. xii-xiii.
Divided into academic, (with directory of publications), and vernacular sections. Appendix includes
language and subject indexes.
Bibliographie selective: terminologie at disciplines connexes =
Selective bibliography: terminology and related fields. Ottawa: Direction de la Terminologie =
Terminology Directorate, 1988.
016.418 B471 (Main Stacks Reference)
- In English and French. Divided by topic, with listings in each section in alphabetical order by
author. Covers the fields of terminology, concept analysis, lexicography, taxonomy, and related
subjects.
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Biographical Dictionaries
Kürschner, Wilfried.
Linguisten
Handbuch: biographische und bibliographische Daten deutschsprachiger Sprachwissenschaftlerinnen und
Sprachwissenschaftler der Gegenwart. Tübingen: Gunter Narr Verlag, 1994.
409.2 L647 (Main Reference)
- An alphabetically arranged bio-bibliographical dictionary of linguists and philologists in the
field of German linguistics.
Falk, Julia S.
Women,
Language and Linguistics: Three American Stories from the First Half of the Twentieth Century.
London: Routledge, 1999.
P81.U5 F35 1999 (Literatures & Languages)
- This book focuses on the life of three American women and their contributions to the field of
linguistics. It is divided into five parts: I. Introduction, II. Alice Vanderbilt Morris, III.
Gladys Amanda Reichard, IV. E. Adelaide Hahn, V. Epilogue. Includes list of abbreviations, notes,
references, and index
Koerner, Konrad, ed.
First Person Singular II: Autobiographies.
Amsterdam: Benjamins, 1991.
410.9 Am821 v.61 (Main Stacks)
- This volume contains autobiographical accounts by major linguists in North America. Included
are Frederick B. Agard, Dwight Bolinger, Yuen Ren Chao, J. Milton Cowan, Murray B. Emeneau, Joshua
A. Fishman, Paul L. Garvin, Joseph H. Greenberg, Robert A. Hall, Jr., Henry Kahane, Stanley S.
Newman, Eugene A. Nida, Herbert Penzl, Edgar C. Polomé, and Allen Walker Read. An index of
biographical names, subjects and languages is provided
Koerner, Konrad, ed.
First Person Singular III. Amsterdam: Benjamins, 1998.
410.9 AM821 v.88 (Main Stacks)
- This volume contains autobiographical accounts by major linguists in North America. Included
are John C. Catford, Charles A. Ferguson, W. Nelson Francis, Henry Hiz, Henry Kucera, Sydney M.
Lamb, James W. Ney, Kenneth L. Pike, Ernst Pulgram, William J. Samarin, Robert P. Stockwell, and
Karl V. Teeter. An index of biographical names and an index of subjects, terms, and languages is
provided
Stammerjohann, Harro et al., eds.
Lexicon
Grammaticorum: Who's Who in the History of World Linguistics. Tübingen, Germany: M. Niemeyer,
1996.
410.92 L591 (Main Stacks Reference)
- Biographical dictionary of linguists who are no longer living. Some entries include
bibliographical references.
Sebeok, Thomas A., ed.
Portraits
of Linguists: A Biographical Source Book for the History of Western Linguistics, 1746-1963.
Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1966.
924 Se2p (Main Stacks)
- These two volumes contain ninety portraits of major figures in Western linguistics. The
biographies are organized chronologically by year of birth. Volume 2 includes a name index.
Bronstein, Arthur J., Lawrence J. Raphael, & CJ Stevens, eds.
A Biographical Dictionary of the
Phonetic Sciences. New York: Press of Lehman College, 1977.
924.14 B52 (Oak St. Facility)
- This is a biographical dictionary of major contributors to the field of phonology from North
America and Western Europe. It contains biographical data, important publications, and evaluations
by scholars. The work is arranged alphabetically by last name. Includes list of contributors, list
of abbreviations of terms and journals, biographical reference sources, and index of names
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Dictionaries
Swann, Joan et al.
A Dictionary of Sociolinguistics. Tuscaloosa:
University of Alabama Press, 2004.
306.4403 D561 (Main Reference)
Online
in Credo Reference
- From the back cover: "This dictionary is designed to help a user navigate a way through the
complex discipline. The entries are organized alphabetically and are explained with a minimum of
academic jargon. The dictionary accommodates a broad interpretation of sociolinguistics, including
macro- and micro-sociolinguistics and a range of approaches within variationist, interactional,
critical, and applied traditions. The authors draw from professional experience in all areas of
sociolinguistics and a variety of geographical areas, including the United States, United Kingdom
and Europe, Australia, southern Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. Topics covered are relevant to
a number of academic disciplines, such as anthropology, psychology, communications, sociology,
education, and linguistics."
Camara, J. Mattoso, Jr.
Dicionário de Lingüística e
Gramática: Referente à Língua Portuguesa. 11. ed. Petropolis, Brasil: Vozes, 1984.
403 C14D 1984 (Oak St. Facility)
- A basic dictionary of Portuguese linguistic terms with a short bibliography of general
linguistics publications in various languages, not necessarily focused on Portuguese topics. No
cross-listing of terms with other languages. No index
Diccionario de Lingüística. Mexico: Red Editorial
Iberoamericana (REI), 1991.
403 D547 1991 (Oak St. Facility)
- A Spanish dictionary of linguistic terms and proper names, some listed with their Latin or
Greek roots. No index nor cross-referencing with other languages
Dubois, Jean, et al.
Dizionario di linguistica. Bologna, Italy: Zanichelli: 1979.
403 D56:I (Oak St. Facility)
- Extensive dictionary of Italian linguistics terms, with tables pairing French and English terms
with their Italian equivalents. Includes bibliography of general titles in various languages
Dubois, Jean, et al. Dictionnaire de Linguistique. Paris: Larousse: 2001.
403 D56 2001 (Main Reference)
- Written in French, this reference work is a dictionary and encyclopedia in one. Terms and
concepts in the study of linguistics are defined and explained. Terms with encyclopedia articles
are interspersed alphabetically throughout the dictionary. An extensive bibliography is
included
Saz-Orozco, Carlos del.
A dictionary of
the world's languages: with tables of language families. Taipei: Landridge Press, 2002.
403 Sa999d (Main Reference)
- This dictionary contains almost 2,500 entries of languages and dialects. Most entries are
brief, stating only what geographical group speaks a language. Also contains tables of language
families and uses cross-referencing
Bussmann, H., ed.
Routledge Dictionary of Language and
Linguistics. London: Routledge, 1996.
410.3 B967L:E (Main Reference)
- An up-to-date overview of vocabulary used in all areas of linguistics. It covers the
traditional core areas, as well as the major interdisciplinary areas such as psycholinguistics and
ethnolinguistics. Also includes languages and language families. Many articles are followed by
references. Even some applied linguistics terms are listed here. Some diagrams. Adapted from the
1983 German language edition, Lexikon der Sprachwissenschaft.
Colby, A. Y. and LLBA staff.
Thesaurus of Linguistic Indexing Terms. San
Diego, Calif.: Sociological Abstracts, 1992.
Q.410.3 C672T (Main Reference)
- Patterned after the Library of Congress Subject Headings. These terms are also used in LLBA.
Helpful for using some of the other encyclopedias and dictionaries listed in this bibliography,
especially those with little cross-referencing. Use this book to help broaden and narrow searches.
It identifies the empirical and theoretical links among terms and topics
Crystal, David.
A Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics.
6th ed. Oxford: Blackwell, 2008.
410.3 C889D 2008 (Main Reference)
Online
in Wiley Online Library
- An encyclopedic lexicographical survey of 20th-century terminology in linguistics and
phonetics. Focuses on purely linguistics terms, such as those likely to be found in the readings of
a first-year graduate student. Excludes obsolete terms, proper names, classical rhetorical terms,
and grammatical descriptors. Entries may include historical context for the term, as well as a
relationship between that term and others in the field. Very little cross-referencing. Includes
several illustrations
Crystal, David.
An Encyclopedic Dictionary of Language
and Languages. Oxford: Blackwell, 1992.
410.3 C889E (Main Reference; Main Stacks)
- An overview of all areas of linguistic study, including traditional core area, and some applied
and interdisciplinary subtopics. This reference is designed for graduate students. It takes a
prescriptive, rather than a descriptive approach to defining terms, which conflicts with some
popular usages. Some diagrams. Adapted from the 1983 German edition
Tuson, Jesús.
Diccionari de Lingüística. Barcelona: VOX, 2000.
410.3 D547 (Main Reference)
- In Catalan, this alphabetical dictionary encompasses all the themes of linguistics. A required
reference work for students and professionals in the area of linguistics. Includes a bibliography
of references
Finch, Geoffrey.
Key Concepts in Language and Linguistics. 2nd
ed. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.
410.3F491k 2005 (Main Reference)
- This concise reference is intended for beginning students of linguistics. It is divided into
six chapters: 1. Linguistics: a brief survey. 2. General terms and concepts. 3. Phonetics and
phonology. 4. Syntax. 5. Semantics and pragmatics. 6. Linguistics: the main branches. Includes
references, suggestions for further reading and index
Hartmann, R. R. K., and Stork, F. C.
Dictionary of Language and Linguistics. London:
Applied Science, 1972.
410.3 H25D1972 (Main Stacks)
- This encyclopedic collection of linguistic terms has the advantages of brevity and rigorous
weeding of obsolete and very obscure terms. It includes some diagrams, and a bibliography of
further reading in the various subtopics. Also has a chart of the most common consonants, a chart
of non-alphabetic scripts, and a list of the numbers of speakers of the most common languages
Matthews, P. H.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of
Linguistics. 2nd Ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007.
410.3M432c 2007 (Main Reference)
- A handy reference containing over 3,000 entries related to the field of linguistics. Includes
directory of symbols
Trask, R. L.
Key Concepts in Language and Linguistics.
London: Routledge, 1999.
- The author describes this handy volume as "neither a dictionary or an encyclopedia, but
something in between." It has fairly detailed and incisive but concise entries on 300 key concepts
for language study and linguistics. Each article includes references to related topics and further
reading. All the concepts are listed at the beginning, so that it is easy to ascertain whether a
concept has been included
Chantrell, Glynnis.
Oxford Dictionary of Word Histories. New York:
Oxford University Press, 2004.
422.03 Ox25 2004 (Main Reference)
- This dictionary provides access to the etymologies of more than 12,000 words in English. Aimed
at the undergraduate student or the general public, this volume includes a helpful introduction and
history of the English language.
Adeleye, Gabriel G. et al.
World
Dictionary of Foreign Expressions: A Resource for Readers and Writers. Wauconda, IL:
Bolchazy-Carducci, 1999.
422.403 Ad32w (Main Reference)
- A useful guide to foreign words and phrases often used in English, especially in legal and
literary writings. Entries include the language of origin, a literal translation and a "polished
translation" of the word or phrase, and usage examples
Rubinstein, Marv.
21st Century American English Compendium: A
Portable Guidebook for Translators, Interpreters, Writers, Editors, and Advanced Language
Students. 2nd rev. ed. Rockville, Md: Schreiber Publishing, 2000.
423.1 R825t 2000 (Main Reference)
- This compendium to the English language was created for translators and interpreters, but is
useful for advanced language students of English and of other languages. Each chapter begins with
an explanation of the topic and a few examples. The lists for each section include literal
translations and foreign equivalents when applicable.
Spooner, Alan.
A Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms. Rev. ed.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
423.1 Sp66d 2005 (Main Reference)
- This dictionary contains over 150,000 entries with cross-referencing. Includes an appendix of
unusual words
Allen, Robert, ed.
Pocket Fowler's Modern English Usage. Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 2004.
428.003 P751 2004 (Oak St. Facility)
- As noted on the cover, this is "the classic text for advice on English usage." Each entry
offers clear explanations and examples from classic or contemporary English-language prose, and
covers both British English and American usages. This smaller edition of Fowler's highly
authoritative reference contains over 4,200 entries, and is helpful to students and scholars alike.
Includes a brief glossary and a preface detailing the history of this edition
Lee, Duk Ho.
Rückläufiges Wörterbuch der deutschen
Sprache. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 2005.
433.1 L51r (Main Reference)
- This is a reverse dictionary in which the headwords are organized alphabetically from the back.
The use of different typefaces facilitates overview and use of the dictionary. The publisher
describes the work as a "combination of a reverse dictionary and a dictionary of word families". It
contains approximately 270,000 entries
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Encyclopedias
Duranti, Alessandro, ed.
Key Terms in Language and Culture. Malden,
Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishers, 2001.
306.44089 K52 (Main Reference; Main Stacks)
- Each discussion on each key term in anthropological linguistics is about two to five pages. The
history and state of a particular term within the field is discussed, with a bibliography following
each entry.
Sawyer, John F.A. and J.M.Y. Simpson, eds.
Concise Encyclopedia of Language and
Religion. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2001.
403 C748 (Main Reference; History, Philosophy & Newspaper Ref)
- Sections on "Language in the Context of Particular Religions", "Sacred Texts", "Religious
Languages and Scripts", and others compile this one volume encyclopedia. There are also biographies
of significant contributors to world religions, a glossary, name index and subject index
Crystal, David.
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language. 3rd. ed.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.
- Organized in 11 parts, comprising 65 thematic sections. Semi-popular treatment. Many good
illustrations, including portraits and tables of non-Roman scripts. Glossary and bibliographies at
end. Entries not in alphabetical order
DuCrot, O., Todorov, T.
Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Sciences
of Language. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1983.
403 D85D:E 1983 (Main Reference)
- Each of the 50 articles focuses on a well-defined topic. No illustrations. Bibliographies at
the end of articles. Translated from French by Catharine Porter.
Brown, Keith, et al., eds.
Encyclopedia of Language & Linguistics.
2nd ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2006.
Q.403 En19 2006 (Main Reference)
- The encyclopedia contains around 3,000 comprehensive articles in all areas of linguistics. It
is arranged alphabetically and contains cross-references. Includes alphabetical list of articles,
glossary, list of languages, language maps, list of abbreviations, subject classification, list of
contributors and subject index
Facts About the World's Languages. New York: H.W.
Wilson, 2001.
Q.403 F119 (Main Reference; Oak St. Facility)
- Includes entries on over 190 languages, including ancient languages and those spoken by small
populations. Includes glossary as well as index of country, languages, and language families.
Collinge, N. E., ed.
An Encyclopaedia of Language. London: Routledge, 1990.
410 En19 (Main Reference)
- Primarily on linguistic theory. Last chapter is a very brief overview of "Languages of the
world." Few illustrations. Good bibliographies at the ends of articles.
Newmeyer, Frederick J., ed.
Linguistics: The Cambridge Survey. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press,1988.
P121 .L567 1988 (Literatures & Languages)
410 L64735 (Main Stacks)
- Volumes 1 and 2 cover linguistic theory. 1: foundations; 2: extensions and implications. Volume
3 covers psychological and biological aspects of language, volume 4: sociolinguistics. Includes
indexes and extensive bibliographies.
Strazny, Philipp, ed.
Encyclopedia of Linguistics. New York: Fitzroy Dearborn,
2005.
Q.410.3 En195 (Main Reference)
- The most significant feature of this encyclopedia is the easily accessible A to Z format, With
'See Also' cross-references to other essays and 'References' to seminal works as well as recent
writings on the subject. This two-volume reference tool provides a comprehensive overview of and an
introduction to the multiple facets of the study of language. Volume 1 offers both an alphabetical
list of entries and a thematic list of entries to assist the user. The contents are organized into
508 signed essays (from 'Acoustic Phonetics' to 'Zuni'), and arranged into 4 thematic categories:
linguistic topics, languages, linguists, and regions.
Frawley, William J. , ed.
International Encyclopedia of Linguistics.
2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.
410.3 In8 2003 (Main Reference)
Online in Oxford Digital
Reference
- Entries are provided alphabetically by language or topic. Useful for information on individual
languages and groups of languages as well as particular topics in linguistics. Excellent
bibliographies accompany articles.
Malmkjar, Kirsten, and Anderson, James M.
The Linguistics Encyclopedia. 2nd ed. London: Routledge,
2002.
410.3 L647 2002 (Main Reference)
- Broad, rather than deep, subject coverage. Each entry is extensive, and most include diagrams.
Index and large bibliography at the back of the book.
Crystal, David.
The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the
English Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997.
Q.420 C889c 1997 (Main Reference)
- A fascinating look at the history and development of the English language. Divided into
sections on the origin, lexicon and etymology, grammar, spoken and written systems, use, regional
and personal variations, and acquisition of the English language throughout the world. The section
on regional variations includes dialects of England and the United States, as well as Englishes
spoken outside of the United States and England, such as Scotland and Wales, Australia and New
Zealand, and South Africa. Appendices include a glossary of linguistic terms, a list of symbols and
abbreviations, references, suggested readings, and indices of authors, subjects, and linguistic
items.
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Handbooks
Aronoff, Mark and Janie Rees-Miller, eds.
The Handbook of Linguistics. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2001.
410H191 (Literatures & Languages Reference)
- This handbook is intended as an introduction to linguistics. It contains twenty-three chapters
by leading researchers in the field. Includes bibliography and index.
Cobley, Paul, ed.
The Routledge Companion to Semiotics
and Linguistics. London : Routledge, 2001.
410 R765 (Main Reference)
- This reference work presents "ten introductory essays written by pace-setting figures in the
field" and a mini-encyclopedia on the field of semiotics which covers key concepts, individuals,
theories and schools of semiotics and linguistics.
Campbell, George L.
Handbook of Scripts and Alphabets. London, New York:
Routledge, 1997.
411 C152h (Main Reference)
- Reproduces 39 script tables from Compendium of the World's Languages. Gives a brief
introduction to each script and the phonetic transcription of each letter or character.
Hickey, Raymond, ed.
The Handbook of Language Contact. Chichester, West
Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.
417.7 H1916 (Literatures & Languages Reference)
Online
in Wiley Online Library
Kaplan, Robert B., ed.
The Oxford Handbook of Applied Linguistics.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.
418 Ox26 2010 (Literatures & Languages Reference)
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Textbooks and Manuals
400 F494l 2004 (Main Stacks)
Finegan, Edward.
Language: Its Structure and Use. 4th ed. Boston:
Thomson Wadsworth, 2004.
- This is an introductory text for linguistics with some emphasis on the political and social
aspects of language. It is divided into three parts: I. Language Structures. II. Language Use. III.
Language Change, Language Development, and Language Acquisition. Each chapter contains exercises
and suggestions for additional resources and further reading. Includes glossary and index.
O'Grady, William et al., eds.
Contemporary Linguistics: An Introduction.
4th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2001.
P121 .O35 2001 (Literatures & Languages)
410 Og7c2001 (Main Stacks)
- This item provides a comprehensive introduction to linguistics. It is divided into seventeen
chapters. Each chapter contains a summary, key terms, sources, recommended readings and questions.
Includes glossary, language index and index.
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