Library
Ferris Library for Information, Technology and Education
Research Guide: Linguistics
This research guide is a bibliography listing some of the many reference sources for Linguistics
available at FLITE. These materials are designed to give students and researchers a starting point
for a particular topic and will usually point the way toward other, more in-depth sources relating to
that topic.
General Sources
The Dictionary of Historical and Comparative Linguistics: Definitions of varying
lengths cover terminology relating to the study of how languages change over time. Major
language families and individual languages are included.
Located in Reference: P 143 .T727 2000
Encyclopedia of Language and Education [8 vols.]: Each volume covers a different
aspect in the multidisciplinary field of language and education (volume one, for example, explores
the issue of Language Policy and Political Issues in Education).
Located in Reference: P 40.8 .E53 1997
International Encyclopedia of Linguistics [4 vols.]: This work is a comprehensive
resource encompassing major language groups and specific languages as well as linguistic
terminology and methodology.
Located in Reference: P 29 .I58 1991
The Linguistics Encyclopedia, 2nd ed.: Approximately 75 entries cover the theoretical
aspects of language in this one-volume work. The Introduction traces the history of Linguistics as
an academic discipline.
Located in Reference: P 29 .L52 2002
The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology: Tracing the origin, history, and evolution of
over 24,000 words and their derivatives, this source is the most comprehensive etymological
resource covering the English language.
Located in Reference: PE 1580 .O5
Dictionaries
The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed. [20 vols.]: With its meticulous emphasis on
etymology, the OED is, without question, the most authoritative English language dictionary.
Each of its some 290,500 entries is augmented by several quotations (about 2.5 million quotes in
all) which illustrate the history of a particular word’s usage.
Located in Reference: PE 1625 .O87 1989
The Oxford Dictionary of Pronunciation: Both British and American pronunciations are
provided for over 96,000 words in this resource. Definitions of words are not included.
Located in Reference: PE 1137 .U66 2001
Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang [3 vols.]: Considered the
best dictionary of American slang available, this work draws on primary source-derived quotations
to trace the evolution of the usage for a particular word.
Located in Reference: PE 2846 .H57
Compiled by Paul D. Kammerdiner, II - Librarian ♦ Summer 2002
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Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English Language: Though
now 40 years old, Webster’s Third is still the most comprehensive one-volume unabridged
dictionary. Some of its over 450,000 entries are a bit dated, but this source remains the standard
of its kind.
Located in Reference: PE 1625 .W36 1971
Thesauri
Bartlett’s Roget’s Thesaurus: Organized in the manner of a traditional thesaurus, this
source is divided into 24 large groups of related subjects and subdivided by the most basic words
that fall under each. Each of the keywords contains an exhaustive list of synonyms for the parts
of speech and definitions encompassed by the particular word. The use of the comprehensive
index is a necessity for proper use of this book.
Located in Ready Reference: PE 1591 .B35 1996
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Thesaurus: The Collegiate Thesaurus briefly defines and
lists synonyms for each alphabetically-arranged word. Related words, idiomatic equivalents,
contrasted words, and antonyms are also listed as warranted.
Located in Ready Reference: PE 1591 .W38 1993
Roget’s II: The New Thesaurus: Its two-column structure allows the Roget’s II to list multiple
definitions for a word in one column and then list synonyms for each definition in the other.
Entries are alphabetically-arranged.
Located in Ready Reference: PE 1591 .R715 1988
Usage Manuals
The Penguin Dictionary of American English Usage and Style: Alphabetical entries
focus on grammatical terms or specific words which suffer misuse or questionable use.
Located in Reference: PE 1464 .L68 2000
The New Fowler’s Modern English Usage, revised 3rd ed.: A thoroughly revised edition
of this venerable source, the New Fowler’s covers such topics as grammar, spelling, style,
syntax, and word choice as they relate to the use and misuse of the English language.
Located in Reference: PE 1628 .F65 1998
The Oxford Guide to English Usage, 2nd ed.: Perhaps the most comprehensive and
authoritative source of its kind, the Oxford Guide includes a broad variety of alphabetical entries,
from Begging the Question to Filipino Literature in English to Split Infinitive to Noah Webster.
Located in Reference: PE 1091 .W44 1993
The American Heritage Book of English Usage: Organized by subject, this source
contains chapters on such topics as grammar, style, word choice, and pronunciation.
Located as an Ebook on the netLibrary [see a Librarian for information on access]
Compiled by Paul D. Kammerdiner, II - Librarian ♦ Summer 2002
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