Language

Using evidence provided by the world's largest language databank, the Oxford English Corpus, Butterfield uncovers fascinating facts about the English language. Where does our vocabulary come from? How do word meanings change? How is our language really being used? This entertaining book has the up-to-date and authoritative answers to all the key questions about our language. With over 2 billion words contained in the Oxford English Corpus, Butterfield takes a thorough look at the English language and exposes its peculiarities and ... read more

One of the most distinctive characteristics of English is the number of words and phrases it has borrowed - and continues to borrow - from other languages, originally and most notably from Latin and French but now also from every corner of the globe. From the frequently used veranda and futon to the less familiar quinquennium and catenaccio, from the longstanding in vino veritas and vade mecum to the recent doosra and galactico, this highly informative reference book provides a revealing record of that remarkable story. With 6,000 ... read more

A runaway hit and "Sunday Times" bestseller in 2008, My Grammar and I has continued to grow in popularity, becoming the go-to guide for grammar. Repackaged with a fresh jacket design, this much-loved gift title is now available in paperback, for new readers and fans of the series alike. My Grammar and I offers amusing examples of awful grammar, while steering you in the direction of grammatical greatness. Taking you on a tour of the English language through the minefield of rules and conditions that can catch you out, from danglin... read more

A series of bilingual Spanish-English story books for children who are independent readers. Children will enjoy exploring their 'new' language with original, exciting and varied stories. The parallel text, pictures and speech bubbles provide a child-friendly bridge to reading - and speaking - in another language. A quiz page at the end helps check understanding. Illustrated in full colour by a variety of talented illustrators. Jenny wants to take her new puppy, Toto, to the circus but Toto isn't willing to sit still and watch the ... read more

An invaluable guide to the world of good grammar which breaks down the barriers that prevent many intelligent people from communicating effectively. Picking up a book on grammar takes courage, but the learner can take heart from the fact that many of the great writers, including Charlotte Bronte, were hopeless at grammar at school. Her teachers complained that she 'knew nothing of grammar', and could read only 'tolerably' and write 'indifferently'. Yet although learning and obeying the rules of grammar won't automatically bestow t... read more

With Collins Italian Phrasebook and Dictionary you will sound and speak like a native. As the only phrasebook in the market offering an hour's worth of downloadable audio files, it is ideal for practising pronunciation, listening comprehension and becoming more confident, not just in speaking but in understanding others when abroad. Collins Italian Phrasebook and Dictionary is 'four books in one' -- a photoguide, a phrasebook, a food guide containing a menu reader and a 5,000-word dictionary. The phrases are short and easy to use... read more

Collins Italian Dictionary and Grammar is an up-to-date dictionary and a user-friendly grammar guide in one handy volume. Colour headwords, cultural notes and an easy-to-use grammar section make this the ideal book for intermediate learners. Collins Italian Dictionary & Grammar is designed for all intermediate learners of Italian, whether at school, at home, or for business. 90,000 references and 118,000 translations will help those learning Italian take their language skills to the next level. / This edition of Collins Italian D... read more

A rollicking entertainment for word lovers. MOTS D'HEURES: GOUSSES, RAMES The d'Antin Manuscript Discovered, Edited, and Annotated by LUIS D'ANTIN VAN ROOTEN Warning: this book is addictive! The rhymes of your childhood - and your children's childhood - sound even better (and much funnier) in the accents of Moliere and Sarkozy. Once you get the point of these delectable j'aime se from the works of Mere L'Oie, you will find yourself reading them aloud to anyone who will listen.If you've had two years of French or eaten escargots on... read more

See it. Hear it. Speak it. Forget carrying six different phrasebooks--iSpeak Europe has enough Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, French, and Greek phrases--1,800 in total--to help you communicate easily and quickly no matter where you are on the continent. Go to "Artists"--Choose your language. From the "Artists" list--Choose the theme you want. Go to "Album"--Select your topic within the theme. Select the phrase you want to hear--You will hear the phrase and see it on your iPod screen! Missed it? Just click and repeat the t... read more

Speak French - Instantly. No books. No writing. No memorizing. Learn 50 essential words at the heart of French and how to put them together to make yourself understood. This 1-hour introduction to the Michel Thomas method will have you speaking real French straight away. There are no books, no pens, and no memorizing - just listen, connect and speak. - Guaranteed success. Speak and understand perfectly - Incredible progress. Get what you want, fast - Absolute confidence. Unleash your natural learning style without trying How it Wo... read more

Speak Spanish - Instantly. No books. No writing. No memorizing. Learn 50 essential words at the heart of Spanish and how to put them together to make yourself understood. This 1-hour introduction to the Michel Thomas method will have you speaking real Spanish straight away. There are no books, no pens, and no memorizing - just listen, connect and speak. - Guaranteed success. Speak and understand perfectly - Incredible progress. Get what you want, fast - Absolute confidence. Unleash your natural learning style without trying How it... read more

Speak German - Instantly. No books. No writing. No memorizing. Learn 50 essential words at the heart of German and how to put them together to make yourself understood. This 1-hour introduction to the Michel Thomas method will have you speaking real German straight away. There are no books, no pens, and no memorizing - just listen, connect and speak. - Guaranteed success. Speak and understand perfectly - Incredible progress. Get what you want, fast - Absolute confidence. Unleash your natural learning style without trying How it Wo... read more

Three travellers walk into a Biergarten. One has a map, one has a Swiss army knife and one has a copy of this phrasebook. Guess who gets served first ... Enrich your travel experience with easy access to thousands of words and phrases. The 4th edition of this bestselling phrasebook features expanded grammar and pronunciation chapters, extra navigation tools and a bundle of new phrases that will allow you to download photos, access wireless internet and talk to the locals about anything from corruption to climate change.

A fun and informative guide to the language of London's East End.

A "Sunday Times" top-ten title in 2008 and a bestseller ever since, I Used to Know That has continued to delight readers with its pages of forgotten facts from our school days. Now available in paperback, this great gift book has been repackaged with a fresh jacket design for anyone new to the series and old fans alike. Nostalgic, informative and entertaining, it is an ideal and accessible buy for adults wanting to brush up on their lost knowledge. If you've forgotten the capital city of Chile; the basics of osmosis; how to solve a... read more

A "Sunday Times" top-ten titles in 2007 and a bestseller ever since, I Before E (Except after C) has continued to inform and entertain its many readers. Now available in paperback, this delightful gift book has been repackaged with a fresh jacket design for new readers and fans of the series alike. Offering reminders of mnemonics from our youth and containing countless more to help us in adult life, this handy collection contains all the memory aids you'll ever need to know: from well-known rhymes, memorable sayings to a selection ... read more

The fast, informal way to learn to speak French French is known as perhaps the most beautiful of all languages. Listen to someone speak French-sure, you don't have a clue what they're saying, but aren't you enraptured by the sound of it? French is a beautiful language but quite difficult to learn. Whether you need to learn the language for a French class, or you travel overseas for business or leisure, this revised edition of French for Dummies can help. Written in an easy-to-follow format, it gives you just what you need for basic... read more