LINGUIST List 10.786

Thu May 20 1999

Books: Reverse English Dictionary

Editor for this issue: Anthony Rodrigues Aristar <aristarlinguistlist.org>

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Lisa Natascha Barrett, Muthmann, Reverse English Dictionary

Message 1: Muthmann, Reverse English Dictionary

Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 12:21:17 +0200
From: Lisa Natascha Barrett <BarrettdeGruyter.com>
Subject: Muthmann, Reverse English Dictionary

Muthmann, Gustav Reverse English Dictionary Based on Phonological and Morphological Principles 1999. 16 x 24 cm. xxiv, 482 pages. Cloth. DM 198.00 / oeS 1445.00 / sFr 176.00 / approx. US$ 124.00 ISBN 3110163624 (Topics in English Linguistics 29)

Looking at words from behind and comparing similar word endings reveals new and unaccustomed aspects of the structure of words and their formation, illustrating the enormous variety of the English language. Rather than presenting a reverse list of words in endless sequence and strictly alphabetical order, this new Reverse Dictionary considers the structure and formation of words, grouping them together in sections and subdivisions. For instance, divisions include words with characteristic endings, e.g., -ug: bug, dug, fug, snug, etc. words with a certain suffix, e.g., -ate: debate, placate, abdicate, designate, etc., or -ous: tremendous, jealous, ridiculous, nervous, etc.

different spelling-to-sound correspondences in word endings item compounds with the same final part, e.g., -room: from tearoom to playroom in one group, then broom, groom, mushroom, etc. vowel change in many words, e.g., branch, bench, inch, conch, lunch, haunch, lynch or dazzle, embezzle, fizzle, nozzle, puzzle.

Aspects like these can only be revealed by a Reverse Dictionary of this kind. The dictionary encompasses the vocabulary considered to be in common use throughout the English-speaking world; it notes variants in spelling and pronunciation, especially those of General American English; it records all irregular forms of verbs, nouns, adjectives, and includes the main rules of regular inflection. The classification method is explained in detail in an introduction. Two appendices of grapheme-to-phoneme and phoneme-to-grapheme correspondences further extend the utility of the dictionary.

Published by Mouton de Gruyter.

Prices are subject to change without notice.

For order information please contact: Mouton de Gruyter A Division of Walter de Gruyter & Co KG P.O. Box 30 34 21 D-10728 Berlin / Germany Fax: +49 (0)30 260 05-222 e-mail: ordersdeGruyter.de

For order information in USA, Canada, and Mexico please contact: Walter de Gruyter, Inc. 200 Saw Mill River Road Hawthorne, NY 10532 / USA Fax: (914) 747-1326 e-mail: CustomerServicedegruyterny.com

Publications by Walter de Gruyter are available via World Wide Web: http://www.deGruyter.com

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