An Introduction to American English (The Language Library) - Softcover

Tottie, Gunnel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0631197923 ISBN 13: 9780631197928

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2001

Synopsis

An Introduction to American English explains American English in the context of American life, history, and institutions, while also making comparisons with British English. This book includes chapters on spelling, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary which discuss how the language reflects American lifestyles and how new words are created. Coverage also includes language use and politeness: regional, social, and ethnic dialects, such as African-American English: and language politics. Much of the material presented is viewed within the framework of American history, government and education. Every chapter is followed by a set of recommended readings and references, some of which include Internet resources. An Introduction to American English is the ideal resource for non-native speakers and undergraduates studying of American English, as well as teachers of English as a second or foreign language.

About this title

Review

"A splendidly informative, yet lucid and easy-to-consult work. It contains all one might expect - such as clear chapters on vocabulary and accent - but also much much more: the sections on American culture, metaphor, greetings, swearwords, and websites are super-useful."
--Jean Aitchison, Worcester College, University of Oxford

"I have many excellent European students whose English grammar is first-class but who have no idea what a sophomore is. This book is a wonderful introduction to the interface between American English and American society which attends not only to linguistic detail but also to the way in which the culture of Americans is reflected in their language."
--Peter Trudgill, Fribourg University

"This textbook is thus highly recommended to students of English with basic reading knowledge and teachers of English (prospective teachers, too) as a second or foreign language virtually anywhere in the world. Native speakers of American English will also find this book interesting." (Journal of Sociolinguistics)

"Overall, this book not only provides a clear overview of the distinguishing characteristics of American English but also the historical and cultural background to explain those characteristics." (Studies in Second Language Acquisition)

About the Author

Gunnel Tottie is Professor of English Linguistics at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. She is author of Negation in English Speech and Writing (1991) and editor of Creating and Using English Language Corpora (with Udo Fries and Peter Schneider, 1994), and Negation in the History of English (with Ingrid Tieken-Boon van Ostade and Wim van der Wurff, 1999).

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0631197923
• ISBN 13: 9780631197928
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320