Reference Sources about the English Language
- The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language3rd edition.
Print only. (Olin Library Reference PE 1072 .C68 2019 +)
An illustrated reference for all aspects of English. - Dictionary of Varieties of EnglishOnline only.
"The present dictionary is intended as a tool for students and scholars alike. Essentially, this book contains two types of definition: (i) varieties of English and the regions/countries where these are spoken and (ii) terms and concepts from the linguistic analysis of varieties. The book is intended to give information about present-day varieties around the world, but in order to do this some historical facts must also be covered, both for English in England and at other locations." [Preface] - Oxford Companion to the English Language2nd edition.
Available online. Print version: Olin Library Reference PE 31 .O84 2018.
A lively textual exploration of the language. There are three types of entries: essay entries, brief dictionary entries for definitions or other explanations, and biographical entries. - The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar2nd edition.
Available online. Print version: Olin Library Stacks PE 1097 .C436 2014.
Entries for 1,000 grammatical terms and their meanings. All the currently accepted terms of grammar are included, as well as older, traditional names, controversial new coinages, and items from the study of other languages. Concise definitions of the wider subject of linguistics, including phonetics and transformational grammar, are accompanied by examples of language in use, and frequent quotations from existing works on grammar. - The Cambridge Guide to English UsageAvailable online. Print version: Olin Library Stacks PE 1464 .P48 2004 +.
The first usage reference to make regular use of large databases (corpora) of written and spoken English, specifically the British National Corpus (BNC) for British English and American English from the Cambridge International Corpus (CCAE) as well as a series of six questionnaires, the Langscape survey. Usage guidelines are based on a three-point stylistic scale: formal, standard, and informal.
Selected English-Language Dictionaries
- The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) OnlineThe OED presents the words that have formed the English vocabulary from the time of the earliest records down to the present day, with all the relevant facts concerning their form, sense-history, pronunciation, and etymology. It embraces not only the standard language of literature and conversation, whether current at the moment, or obsolete, or archaic, but also the main technical vocabulary, and a large measure of dialectical usage and slang. The online edition contains the complete second edition and continuing udpates and additions..
- The Australian Oxford DictionaryCall Number: Olin Library Reference PE 3601 .Z5 A867 2004 +Available online and in print.
Entries for English words most commonly used in Australia. This title documents this national variation of the English language. - The Canadian Oxford DictionaryCall Number: Olin Library Reference PE 3235 .C36 2004 +2nd edition.
Available online and in print. - The New Zealand Oxford DictionaryOnline only.
"...the first large-scale English dictionary especially prepared for New Zealand users. Compiled at the New Zealand Dictionary Centre in Wellington[.]" --Publisher's description.
See also the Oxford Dictionary of New Zealandisms.
Online version. Print version: Olin Library Reference PE 3602 .Z5 D48 2010. - Dictionary of American Regional EnglishAvailable online and in print.
6-volume print version: Olin Library Reference PE 2843 .D55. Second copy in Olin Library Stacks Oversize PE 2843 .D55.
A record of of the regional variations in words, pronunciations, and phrases in the United States with historical examples.
See also: Language Dictionaries Online.