Kate Burridge

Tonya N. Stebbins

Language is essential to human life, both as a basic social necessity and also as a powerful and complex social resource. For the Love of Language: An Introduction to Linguistics offers a comprehensive introduction to the workings of language and the role of linguistics in investigating its fundamental design. This thorough and engaging investigation into language and linguistics covers topics including: • strategies for learning about how language works • using linguistics to address real-world problems • the structure and meaning of words • the systems that organise language • changes to language over time • how language is used in written and spoken communication • the links between language, the mind and the world. Written by authors with extensive academic experience in the field of linguistics and including examples from Australia, New Zealand and around the world to engage the reader, For the Love of Language is a lively yet comprehensive resource for undergraduate students in foundation linguistics.

An Introduction to Linguistics

For the Love of Language

Covers everything from 'slanguage' and pronunciation to the mysteries of English spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Morsels of English Language History

Gift of the Gob

Kersti Borjars

Answering key questions such as 'Why study grammar?' and 'What is standard English?', Introducing English Grammar guides readers through the practical analysis of the syntax of English sentences. With all special terms carefully explained as they are introduced, the book is written for readers with no previous experience of grammatical analysis. It is ideal for all those beginning their study of linguistics, English language or speech pathology, as well as students with primarily literary interests who need to cover the basics of linguistic analysis. The approach taken is in line with current research in grammar, a particular advantage for students who may go on to study syntax in more depth. All the examples and exercises use real language taken from newspaper articles, non-standard dialects and include excerpts from studies of patients with language difficulties. Students are encouraged to think about the terminology as a tool kit for studying language and to test what can and cannot be described using these tools. This new edition has been fully revised in line with recent research. There is a new chapter on World English, a new glossary and a free website with extensive further reading and answers to the exercises.

Introducing English Grammar

Keith Allan

Taboo and the Censoring of Language

Forbidden Words

Kersti Börjars

Introducing English Grammar introduces readers to the methodology and terminology needed to analyse English sentences. The approach taken is in line with current research in grammar, a particular advantage for students who may go on to study syntax in more depth. All the examples and exercises use real language taken from both standard and non-standard geographical areas and dialects, and include excerpts from Australian and British newspaper articles. Students are encouraged to think about the terminology as a tool kit for studying language and to test what can and cannot be described using these tools. This new edition has been fully updated and features: an expanded introduction; new texts and exercises that include data from social media; revised material on 'Grammar at work' and 'English worldwide'; more suggestions for further reading at the end of the book; a brand new companion website with extensive further reading and answers to the exercises, which can be found at www.routledge.com/cw/borjars. Written for readers with no previous experience of grammatical analysis, Introducing English Grammar is suited to anyone beginning a study of linguistics, English language or speech pathology, as well as to students whose interests are primarily literary but who need a better understanding of the structure of English.

Euphemism and Dysphemism In this fascinating study, Keith Allan and Kate Burrige examine the linguistic, social, and psychological aspects of this intriguing universal practice.

Language Used as Shield and Weapon

Euphemism & Dysphemism

Barry J. Blake

Jo Taylor

This is a selection of papers from the 15th International Conference on Historical Linguistics held in Melbourne 13-17 August 2001, hosted by the Linguistics Program at La Trobe University. The papers range from the general theoretical to the study of particular languages and embrace most areas of linguistics, particularly morpho-syntax.

Selected Papers from the 15th International Conference on Historical Linguistics, Melbourne, 13-17 August 2001

Historical Linguistics 2001

Kate Burridge follows the international success of Blooming English with another entertaining excursion into the ever-changing nature of the complex and captivating English language. If language is a glorious garden, filled with exotic hybrids as well as traditional heritage specimens, then weeds will also thrive on its fertile grounds. Linguistic weeds may be defined as pronunciations or constructions that are no longer used. For example, Burridge points out how "aint" or double negatives were at one time quite acceptable in everyday speaking and writing but are now classified as "weeds" that should no longer have a place in our vocabulary. And, as she so deftly accomplished in Blooming English, Burridge goes on here to further celebrate our capacity to play with language, and to examine the ways we use it: in slang and jargon, swearing, speaking the unspeakable, or concealing unpleasant or inconvenient facts. In this new volume she gives us another fun and informative work for enjoyable browsing; for discovering intriguing trivia about language, history, and social customs; and for employing as a peerless weapon in word games. Kate Burridge is the Chair of Linguistics at Monash University and a regular presenter of segments on the Australian Broadcast Company.

Further Observations on the Tangled History of the English Language

Weeds in the Garden of Words

Bernd Kortmann

This volume gives a detailed overview of the varieties of English spoken in the Pacific and Australasia, including regional, social and ethnic dicalects (such as New Zealand, Australian Vernacular, or Maori English) as well as pidgins and creoles (such as Tok Pisin, Hawaii Creole, or Kriol in Australia). The chapters, written by widely acclaimed specialists, provide concise and comprehensive information on the phonological, morphological and syntactic characteristics of each variety discussed. The articles are followed by exercises and study questions. The exercises are geared towards students and can be used for classroom assignments as well as for self study in preparation for exams. Instructors can use the exercises, sound samples and interactive maps to enhance their classroom presentations and to highlight important language features. The accompanying CD-ROM contains interactive maps and speech samples that supplement the printed articles and offer material and data for further research. The rich detail found in the chapters as well as the valuable tools on the CD-Rom make this survey of English Varieties a mainstay for researchers and teachers. The content of the CD-ROM is online: http://www.varieties.mouton-content.com.

The Pacific and Australasia

Provides a study of euphemism and dysphemism in the early Dutch and English languages

Language Used As Shield and Weapon

Euphemism and Dysphemism

People who love English - the way words are used and put together to create meaning; the arcane rules and infuriating exceptions; the vital, living history of the way the language has changed through the centuries to create a richness and depth that exceeds that of many other languages - are often verypassionate about how it is used and how it is changing and about all its little tricky eccentricitiesWeeds in the Garden of Wordsis the perfect book for people who love English.Professor Kate Burridge's book is approachable, entertaining and fun - designed to browse through and find oneself hooked by fascinating pieces on such topics as why verbs move to nouns and vice versa, why pronunciation may differ from place to place, why regionalisms develop and the creative way of slang and jargon. Weeds in the Garden of Wordsis filled with the joys of the eccentric, unruly, rich and complex language that is English.

Associate Professor Department of Linguistics Kate Burridge

Observations on the Roots, Cultivation and Hybrids of the English Language

Blooming English

People who love English - the way words are used and put together to create meaning; the arcane rules and infuriating exceptions; the vital, living history of the way the language has changed through the centuries to create a richness and depth that exceeds that of many other languages - are often very passionate about how it is used and how it is changing and about all its little tricky eccentricities Weeds in the Garden of Words is the perfect book for people who love English. Professor Kate Burridge's book is approachable, entertaining and fun - designed to browse through and find oneself hooked by fascinating pieces on such topics as why verbs move to nouns and vice versa, why pronunciation may differ from place to place, why regionalisms develop and the creative way of slang and jargon. Weeds in the Garden of Words is filled with the joys of the eccentric, unruly, rich and complex language that is English.

Weeds in the Garden of Words: Further observations of the tangled histor y of the English language

For the Love of Language: An Introduction to Linguistics is an engaging introduction to human language and the role of linguistics in understanding its fundamental design, acquisition and functions. Replete with case studies and examples from Australia, New Zealand and around the world, this text offers a thorough introduction to core topics, including the structure and meaning of words, the systems that organise language, strategies for learning about language, the evolution of language and the function of language as a complex social resource. The second edition includes extensive new content across the entire text, including the areas of orthography, syntax, corpus linguistics, language acquisition and multilingualism. Each topic is accompanied by a wide array of pedagogical resources designed to consolidate student understanding, including examples and exercises. Each chapter ends with a research project, providing readers with an opportunity to build on fundamental skills and engage more thoroughly with each topic.

This 2006 book examines how we use language to swear, to insult, and also to be politically correct.

A book about the quirks of the English language from an Australian point of view, from popular author and ABC TV and Radio regular Kate Burridge. Morsels of English Language History . Why can we fall in love but not in hate? . What do codswallop and poppycock share? . Why not one house and two hice? . How come we scream blue murder, sing the blues and turn the air blue? In GIFt OF tHE GOB Professor of Linguistics Kate Burridge explores our language and the everlasting tug-of-love that exists between 'proper' English and its wayward relation slang. She investigates the place where all that is 'wrong', 'bad' or 'sloppy' slips into everyday use, before becoming 'proper' in its turn! Join Kate on a fascinating journey through English language history, as she untangles words and their meanings, and unearths the centuries of spectacular changes that have transformed the very core of our language. Based on segments from ABC Local Radio and ABC tV's CAN WE HELP? this book has been inspired by the linguistic shenanigans of the general public. these mouth-filling morsels of English language history demonstrate the poetic ingenuity of common language, and celebrate its remarkable inventiveness.

Gift of the Gob: Morsels of English Language History

Many words and expressions are viewed as 'taboo', such as those used to describe sex, our bodies and their functions, and those used to insult other people. This 2006 book provides a fascinating insight into taboo language and its role in everyday life. It looks at the ways we use language to be polite or impolite, politically correct or offensive, depending on whether we are 'sweet-talking', 'straight-talking' or being deliberately rude. Using a range of colourful examples, it shows how we use language playfully and figuratively in order to swear, to insult, and also to be politically correct, and what our motivations are for doing so. It goes on to examine the differences between institutionalized censorship and the ways individuals censor their own language. Lively and revealing, Forbidden Words will fascinate anyone who is interested in how and why we use and avoid taboos in daily conversation.

Kate Burridge

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