Difference between revisions of "Word by Word"
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− | + | {{Book | |
+ | | Title = Word by Word | ||
+ | | SortTitle = Word by Word: Secret Life of Dictionaries, The | ||
+ | | Image = Word By Word - Secret Life of Dictionaries, The - Hardcover - USA - 1st Edition.jpg | ||
+ | | ImageDescription = Hardcover - USA - 1st edition. | ||
+ | | Author = {{BookAuthor|Kory Stamper}} | ||
+ | | PublishedYear = 2017 | ||
+ | | PublishedMonth = 03 | ||
+ | | PublishedDay = 14 | ||
+ | | Type = {{BookType|Non-fiction}} | ||
+ | | Genre = {{BookGenre|Educational}} | ||
+ | | Themes = {{MediaTheme|English}}, {{MediaTheme|Etymology}}, {{MediaTheme|Language}}, {{MediaTheme|Lexicography}} | ||
+ | | AgeGroup = Adult | ||
+ | }} | ||
− | '''''Word By Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries''''' is a book about lexicography by [[Kory Stamper]]. In | + | '''''Word By Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries''''' is a book about lexicography by [[Kory Stamper]] first published on 2017-03-14. |
+ | |||
+ | In the book, Stamper describes in detail the process lexicographers use to create dictionaries including how to determine if a word is worthy of an entry word, how to classify them, and how to write and change definitions over time. The book also includes a mini biography of Stamper's life and work at [[Merriam-Webster]] and some of the more interesting and controversial words she's had to work on. | ||
==Personal== | ==Personal== | ||
− | + | {{BookStatus | |
+ | | Own = | ||
+ | | Read = Audiobook read by [[Kory Stamper]]. | ||
+ | | Finished = 2020-05-19. | ||
+ | }} | ||
− | + | Being a fan of words and dictionaries, I started reading this book. After only a short way into it I was already loving it, so I quickly read through the rest of it and found it very enjoyable and educational. | |
− | I | ||
==Review== | ==Review== | ||
+ | {{BookRating|9}} | ||
+ | |||
===Good=== | ===Good=== | ||
* The book is enjoyable to read. Stamper has a comfortable writing style and uses a lot of colloquialisms and doesn't shy from colorful curse words when the situation calls for it. | * The book is enjoyable to read. Stamper has a comfortable writing style and uses a lot of colloquialisms and doesn't shy from colorful curse words when the situation calls for it. | ||
+ | * After reading this book, I came away with a much better understanding and appreciation of the English language, it's written form, and the science of trying to understand it. | ||
* Stamper uses a wide array of vocabulary throughout the book. Although, as a lexicographer, it would be criminal if she did not. | * Stamper uses a wide array of vocabulary throughout the book. Although, as a lexicographer, it would be criminal if she did not. | ||
* Stamper does a good job explaining the basics of the English language including grammar, word usage, and the various categories we use to describe them. She also neatly explains the job of a lexicographer and how it can be unexpectedly difficult. | * Stamper does a good job explaining the basics of the English language including grammar, word usage, and the various categories we use to describe them. She also neatly explains the job of a lexicographer and how it can be unexpectedly difficult. | ||
− | * Stamper makes a great case for descriptive rather than prescriptive English, explains why respelling words to match their pronunciation is a doomed prospect, and discusses why English is nourished by dialects, especially those viewed as inferior, and points out how the hatred of dialects is often a [[ | + | * Stamper makes a great case for descriptive rather than prescriptive English, explains why respelling words to match their pronunciation is a doomed prospect, and discusses why English is nourished by dialects, especially those viewed as inferior, and points out how the hatred of dialects is often a [[dog whistle]]. |
* The audio book is read by the author, who sounds not unlike [[Tracy Grandstaff]], the voice actor of Daria from the show ''[[Daria]]''. | * The audio book is read by the author, who sounds not unlike [[Tracy Grandstaff]], the voice actor of Daria from the show ''[[Daria]]''. | ||
− | * | + | * It was interesting hearing about all the shit Stamper had to deal with answering the hundreds of emails from people who either suck at English, or don't understand what a dictionary is. |
===Bad=== | ===Bad=== | ||
Line 25: | Line 46: | ||
==Media== | ==Media== | ||
+ | ===Covers=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Word By Word - Secret Life of Dictionaries, The - Hardcover - USA - 1st Edition.jpg|US hardcover, 1st edition. | Word By Word - Secret Life of Dictionaries, The - Hardcover - USA - 1st Edition.jpg|US hardcover, 1st edition. | ||
Word By Word - Secret Life of Dictionaries, The - Paperback - USA.jpg|US paperback. | Word By Word - Secret Life of Dictionaries, The - Paperback - USA.jpg|US paperback. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Videos=== | ||
+ | {{YouTube|4-GZljHliRU|Interview - The A.V. Club.}} | ||
+ | {{YouTube|Yguy8tY15dM|Book lecture.}} | ||
+ | {{YouTube|sFgxVuuYLCU|Book lecture.}} | ||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
Line 34: | Line 61: | ||
− | |||
− | |||
[[Category: Language]] | [[Category: Language]] | ||
[[Category: English]] | [[Category: English]] | ||
[[Category: Etymology]] | [[Category: Etymology]] | ||
− | [[Category: Books | + | [[Category: Lexicography]] |
+ | [[Category: Favorite]] | ||
+ | [[Category: Favorite Books]] |
Latest revision as of 18:09, 5 March 2023
Word by Word | ||||||||||||
Hardcover - USA - 1st edition. |
||||||||||||
|
Word By Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries is a book about lexicography by Kory Stamper first published on 2017-03-14.
In the book, Stamper describes in detail the process lexicographers use to create dictionaries including how to determine if a word is worthy of an entry word, how to classify them, and how to write and change definitions over time. The book also includes a mini biography of Stamper's life and work at Merriam-Webster and some of the more interesting and controversial words she's had to work on.
Personal
Own? | No. |
---|---|
Read? | Audiobook read by Kory Stamper. |
Finished | 2020-05-19. |
Being a fan of words and dictionaries, I started reading this book. After only a short way into it I was already loving it, so I quickly read through the rest of it and found it very enjoyable and educational.
Review
Overall: |
Good
- The book is enjoyable to read. Stamper has a comfortable writing style and uses a lot of colloquialisms and doesn't shy from colorful curse words when the situation calls for it.
- After reading this book, I came away with a much better understanding and appreciation of the English language, it's written form, and the science of trying to understand it.
- Stamper uses a wide array of vocabulary throughout the book. Although, as a lexicographer, it would be criminal if she did not.
- Stamper does a good job explaining the basics of the English language including grammar, word usage, and the various categories we use to describe them. She also neatly explains the job of a lexicographer and how it can be unexpectedly difficult.
- Stamper makes a great case for descriptive rather than prescriptive English, explains why respelling words to match their pronunciation is a doomed prospect, and discusses why English is nourished by dialects, especially those viewed as inferior, and points out how the hatred of dialects is often a dog whistle.
- The audio book is read by the author, who sounds not unlike Tracy Grandstaff, the voice actor of Daria from the show Daria.
- It was interesting hearing about all the shit Stamper had to deal with answering the hundreds of emails from people who either suck at English, or don't understand what a dictionary is.
Bad
- Nothing.
Ugly
- Nothing.
Media
Covers
Videos
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- Books
- Books Published in 2017
- Adult Books
- Books written by Kory Stamper
- Non-fiction
- Book Genre - Educational
- Media Theme - English
- Media Theme - Etymology
- Media Theme - Language
- Media Theme - Lexicography
- Books I Don't Own
- Books I've Read
- Books Rated - 9
- Language
- English
- Etymology
- Lexicography
- Favorite
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