dialects

"National textbook language dictionaries." Contains 9,000 terms and definitions.

" The quintessential A to Z guide to British English-perfect for every egghead and bluestocking looking to conquer the language barrier Oscar Wilde once said the Brits have "everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language." Any visitor to Old Blighty can sympathize with Mr. Wilde. After all, even fluent English speakers can be at sixes and sevens when told to pick up the "dog and bone" or "head to the loo," so they can "spend a penny." Wherever did these peculiar expressions come from? British author Christopher J. Moore made a name for himself on this side of the pond with the sleeper success of his previous book, In Other Words. Now, Moore draws on history, literature, pop culture, and his own heritage to explore the phrases that most embody the British character. He traces the linguistic influence of writers from Chaucer to Shakespeare and Dickens to Wodehouse, and unravels the complexity Brits manage to imbue in seemingly innocuous phrases like "All right." Along the way, Moore reveals the uniquely British origins of some of the English language's more curious sayings. For example: Who is Bob and how did he become your uncle? Why do we refer to powerless politicians as "lame ducks"? How did "posh" become such a stylish word?Part language guide, part cultural study, How to Speak Brit is the perfect addition to every Anglophile's library and an entertaining primer that will charm the linguistic-minded legions. "--.

Examines the state of the English language in the United States. Describes the influence of Spanish, media saturation, "Valley Girl" and "Surfer Dude" dialects, and Black English.

Contains a collection of slang words from African American, Chicano, Jewish, sports, movie, hip hop, and drug sub-culture as well as words from the 1960s beatniks generation to show how different cultures and communities have communicated over the years.

Defines a variety of words and phrases used by cowboys in the American West.

A collection of monologues for young men and women who are learning a dialect or need to present one for an audition.

Traces the history of the English language, discussing how it evolved from a language used by only a few thousand Anglo-Saxons into one used by more than a quarter of the human race in the modern world.

A collection of scenes for young actors which use a variety of dialects, including Russian, American South, New York, Standard British, Cockney, and Irish.