General+Reference

=General Reference= ====**Introduction | Encyclopedias** | **Atlases | Language Education | Web Resources**====

An Introduction to Language Study
**Sapir, Edward. 1921. //Language: An Introduction to the Study of Speech//. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company.**

Classic of language study. Looks at questions of what language is, how it changes over time and location, and how it relates to our human experience (its interaction with history, race, culture, and art). Not a technical linguistic look, more of an anthropological exploration, written in easy to understand language, meant not only for scholars, but also for anyone interested in the evolution of language and the importance of it to humanity.

Available at the UMBC library: P105 .S2 1949 Also available full text on Google books here.

General Linguistics Encyclopedias
**Frawley, William J., ed. 2003. //International Encyclopedia of Linguistics.// New York: Oxford University Press.**

The encyclopeda for the linguistics field, the standard for reference, a top ten print reference resource at the time of its publication. It is comprehensive with four volumes including over 750 entries. It includes the full range of topics in contemporary linguistics study, including those that are interdisciplinary, such as sociolinguistics, and the overlap between language and literature. Written at an undergraduate level, it is still introductory, so knowledge of linguistics study is not necessary.

Available at the UMBC library: Reference P29 .I58 2003

**Strazny, Philipp, ed. 2005. //Encylcopedia of Linguistics.// New York: Fitzroy Dearborn.**

Written for comprehension by those with no linguistics experience, this encyclopedia provides 508 entries for a general introduction to linguistics topics. Strazny sees the ever-developing field of linguistics overlapping with other disciplines and has presented this encyclopedia as a bridge to those topics, including second language learning, and information retrieval. A good complement to the above //International Encyclopedia of Linguistics.//

Available at the UMBC library: Reference P29 .E483 2005

**Malmkjaer, Kirsten, ed. 2002. //The Linguistics Encyclopedia.// New York: Routledge.**

Not as comprehensive in terms of numbers of entries as those listed above, but still has informative entries that may be of some use, including //Bilingualism and multilingualism, Language acquisition, Language and education, and Teaching English as a foreign language.// The book is available electronically through the UMBC subscription, so it is also a more accessible resource than the above encyclopedias that are reference materials that do not circulate and therefore can only be used in the library. There is a print version if interested.

Available at the UMBC Library: Reference P29 .L52 2002 Also available as an ebook from NetLibrary (UMBC has subscription).

Language Atlases

 * Comrie, Bernard, Stephen Matthews and Maria Polinsky, eds. 2003. //The Atlas of Languages.// New York: Facts on File.**

Looks at the origins and development of languages around the world. Language evolution and the spread of language around the world are discussed, as well as the differences in language families found throughout the world. The work also mentions different alphabet systems and the way in which languages go in and out of importance. Very much a "coffee table" book, it still provides interesting facts and beautiful images and maps.

Available at the UMBC Library: Reference P107 .A87 2003


 * Asher, R.E. and Christopher Moseley, eds. 2007. //Atlas of the World's Languages.// New York: Routledge.**

This atlas depicts the location of every known living language, including languages on the brink of extinction, numbering over 6,000. It gives a general linguistic overview of the different regions, and also talks about the relationships between the world's languages. The atlas also covers sociolinguistic data and statistics and includes research as recent as 2006. There is also an extensive bibliography and further readings for each section. Much more academic than the above atlas.

Available at the UMBC Library: Reference - Atlases G1046.E3 A8 2007

General Resources for Language and Education
**Hornberger, Nancy H., ed. 2008. //Encyclopedia of Language and Education.// New York: Springer.**

In this updated work, more emphasis has been placed on the globalization of language teaching and learning, and more input from scholars outside of the the Western world has been included. Of special importance is the 4th volume on Second and Foreign Language Education. It covers the theory of second language learning, current approaches, international perspectives, teacher preparation and professional development, and the role of technology. Other volumes also include helpful sections on such topics as the politics of english language teaching (vol. 1), discourse and second language learning (vol. 3), and language socialization and second language learning in non-Western settings (vol. 8).

Available at the UMBC Library: Reference P40.8 .E53 2008


 * Johnson, Keith and Helen Johnson, eds. 1999. //Encyclopedic Dictionary of Applied Linguistics.// Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers.**

A good overview of information in language teaching. Entries include second language acquisition and its relation to first language acquistion, foreign versus second language learning, and second language learning strategies. The book is easy to navigate through the alphabetical listings, as well as an index. It is available electronically and in print for UMBC students, so it is very accessible.

Available at the UMBC Library: Reference P129 .E53 1998 Also available as an ebook from NetLibrary (UMBC has a subscription).

**Hinkel, Eli, ed. 2005. //Handbook of Research in Second Language Teaching and Learning.// Mahwah, NJ: L. Erlbaum Associates.**

Very good look at current research and information in the field of second language teaching. Covers broad areas of knowledge dealing with topics like the social contexts of second language learning, second language processes and development, teaching methods and curricula, and issues with testing and assessment. It is intended for second language aquisition specialists, applied linguists and graduate students.

Available at the UMBC Library: P118.2 .H359 2005

Web Resources

 * Purdue Online Writing Lab. 2010. "ESL Instructors and Students." Last modified April 25. []**

This site provides overviews of grammar and mechanics including articles on irregular verbs, prepositions, and verb tenses. Also has links to further resources and grammar and other ESL exercises.


 * Underhill, Adrian. 2008. "Onestopenglish: Resources for teaching English." Accessed November 2. []**

This website provides a lot of content (over 7,000 resources) and claims to be the world's number one resource site for English language teachers. Not all of the content is available for free (for access to the full database there is a $64 yearly subscription fee), but there are options to limit searches to the free content. A quick search box on the right hand side of the website allows the searcher to narrow by age, the variety of english, level, language focus, and/or content area.


 * UsingEnglish.com. 2010. "English Language (ESL) Learning Online - UsingEnglish.com." Last modified October 9. []**

This website provides tool and resources for students, teachers, learners, and academics involved in English language learning. Topics cover ESL, EFL, ESOL, and EAP subjects. Content is based on many forms of English, though most of it is British because it is a British website. In order to access all content, a membership is needed, but it is free.