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Reference Materials

These print research resources are available in the Norlin Library Reference Department stacks.

Bibliographies

Bibliography of Linguistic Literature. REF STACKS Z 7001 B53 Bd. 16

 

Bibliographie Linguistique/Linguistic Bibliography REF STACKS Z 7001 P4 1995

Contains no less than 26,000 entries from journals and authors from around the world, irrespective of language.

Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, and More

Crystal, D. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1987. REF STACKS P 29 C64 1987

This is a basic and introductory encyclopedia for researchers looking for a broad coverage of issues related to language. It is arranged thematically, not alphabetically, and includes topics like: Language and Identity; The Structure of Language; Mediums of Language; Child Language Acquisition; Language, Brain, and Handicap; Language in the World; Language and Communication. The appendices contain a glossary, suggestions for further reading, references, and several indices.

Asher, R.E., ed. The Encyclopedia of Language and Linguistics. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1994. REF STACKS P29 E48 1994 v.1-10.

This set of encyclopedias provides both a broader and more in-depth overview of linguistics and “aims to be authoritative, up-to-date, comprehensive, and international.” The first 9 volumes contain over 2,000 articles, but a good place to start is Volume 10, which contains a name and subject index for all of the entries, detailing in what volume the subject is located, as well as an extensive glossary.

Frawley, William J., ed. International Encyclopedia of Linguistics. 2^nd ed. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2003. REF STACKS P29 I58 2003 v.1-4.

Providing an interdisciplinary approach, this alphabetically-arranged edition focuses on “areas of intersection with the social and behavioral science…[and] interdisciplinary work in language and literature, language and philosophy, mathematical linguistics, computational linguistics, and applied linguistics, in particular as concerned with language education.” It contains 957 articles ranging in size from one paragraph to ten pages, with an average of two to four pages per entry. Intended for an academic audience, it assumes some previous knowledge, but orients the reader to the subject, with key bibliographic information for most entries. Volume 4 features a systematic outline and index.

Bussmann, H. Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics. London: Routledge, 1996. REF STACKS P 29 B87 1996

This dictionary provides a comprehensive look at all areas of linguistics, arranged alphabetically by entry term. “Not restricted to specific theories, it encompasses descriptive and historical, comparative and typological linguistics, as well as the applied subdisciplines. Along with the traditional core areas, interdisciplinary fields, as well as stylistics, rhetoric and philosophy of language are represented.”

Crystal, D. A Dictionary of Language. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001. REF STACKS P29 C68 2001

This reference work “tries to combine that convenience of the alphabetical dictionary with the general range of the thematic encyclopedia.” In addition to providing clear and concise definitions for terms, it answers questions like, ‘How many people speak Turkish on Cyprus?’ and ‘What language do they speak in Nigeria?’ A very useful dictionary for general language inquiries. 

Crystal, David. A Dictionary of Linguistics & Phonetics. 5^th ed. Oxford: Blackwell, 2003. REF STACKS P 29.C65 2003

Of use for both scholar and beginning student, this dictionary contains a full list of linguistic and phonetic terms, as well as lists of abbreviations, symbols, and symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet. The entries focus on the term’s standard usage and further offer an encyclopedic element, often with historical context.

The Atlas of Languages: The Origin and Development of Languages Throughout the World. Revised edition. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2003. REF STACKS P 107.A87 2003

Like an atlas, this reference work is ordered by geographic region and uses maps and language family trees to document “what is spoken where at the beginning of the 21^st century.” It creates connections between language and place that recognize both the historical and future developments of human communication.

Crystal, David and Hilary Crystal. Words on Words: Quotations About Language and Languages. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2000. REF STACKS P 106.C765 2000

Useful for finding quotations about language and communication, this reference tool is arranged thematically and provides brief quotes with their original authors and sources. This resource is valuable for anyone looking for a quote on a specific topic for a research paper, speech, etc., and offers a wide and comprehensive selection. With exhaustive indices that compose nearly half the work, researchers can find quotes by author, source, and key word or phrase.