Drawing extensively on the methods and results of modern linguistics, especially word analysis, this remarkable text provides the student with the necessary tools to acquire an effective understanding of learned, specialized, and scientific vocabulary. English Vocabulary Elements helps develop familiarity with over 350 Latin and Greek word elements in English and, by demonstrating the variety of word-building techniques, shows how these roots are reflected in thousands of different words. In their treatment of word formation, the authors introduce and illustrate many of the fundamental concepts of linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, sociolinguistics, and historical linguistics, offering a more thorough and principled approach to the expansion of one's vocabulary. Also included are an abundance of details about words themselves, ranging from events in the remote history of the language to modern-day developments, showing how words have changed their meanings and forms over time--often despite the resistance of some "authorities". From the importance of English as a world language to the language's use as an expression of creativity, this invaluable work offers students of verbal aptitude, English grammar, or scientific writing not only a larger, more expressive vocabulary, but a deeper understanding of the language that has become the international medium of verbal communication.

Preface; Pronunciation; 1. Introduction: The Wealth of English; 2. The History of English and Sources of English Vocabulary; 3. Morphology: Analyzing Complex Words; 4. Allomorphy; 5. Phonetics; 6. Regular Allomorphy: Numerals and Number Words; 7. Polysemy and Semantic Change; 8. Usage and Variation; 9. Latin and Greek Morphology; 10. Prehistory of English and the Other Indo-European Languages; 11. Latin Words, Phrases, and Abbreviations; 12. Later Changes: From Latin to French to English; Appendix I, Part 1: Morphemes to Glosses; Appendix I, Part 2: Glosses to Morphemes; Appendix II: Morpheme Sets 1 to 9; Index

Keith DenningProfessor of Linguistics, Eastern Michigan University, William R. LebenProfessor of Linguistics and Faculty Coordinator of the Special Language Program, Stanford University

"This will be quite a useful text for secondary teachers--in terms of background in English, history, morphology, usage, etc.--to enhance teaching of English , vocabulary development and writing."--Sandra Jackson, DePaul University