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Review
by: This is a great reference book for both middle years students and teachers! Judy McLaughlin has produced an attractive and very useful glossary of English terminology that students in the middle years of school would likely encounter, It explains the meaning of complex terms and their uses. These "when" and "why" sections provide a relevant and familiar context for the definitions of the words that go beyond what the standard dictionary offers. Starting with Abbreviations, there are 433 entries explained and arranged in alphabetical order, ending with Zoom (pertaining to camera shot in film and television production). Each word has an easy pronunciation guide, e.g. Ab-BREE-vee-AY-shuns, which does not require knowledge of the phonetic symbols and diacritical marks used in a standard dictionary. the words are also cross-referenced to other entries, so that under Zoom, the reader is also directed to look at Camera movements and Camera shots. Some entries are longer than others, such as the one for Letters where personal, formal and letters to the editor are described in detail. The book is an extension of Edible English (2001) aimed at readers in Years 5-8, but it would also be useful for readers in Years 9 and 10. It includes terms related to language study, grammar, punctuation, the internet and computer language, mass media, narrative texts, poetry, graphics and visual texts. The author uses a friendly personal tone in explaining what the words mean and provides her personal views of the value of words and when it is appropriate to use them. For example, in relation to Ambience, she says, "This is a gorgeous word", and directs the read to "use this one as often as you can" (p.7). In explaining when a term is used, she often refers to current films. In re latino to Anachronism, for example she refers to the film Gladiator and points out that is has in excess of 200 continuity errors and most of these appear to be anachronism. E.g., "a man wearing denim jeans appearing in a shot, a vapour trail from an aeroplane is seen in another" (p.8). The cross-referenced terms, in this case continuity, appear in bold. These references do, of course, assume that the student have seen the film or at least know what it is about. In explaining what the term means, she also gives the meaning of the syllables when these help to remember the meaning of the word, e.g. Ana = against; Chronos = time". In explaining why this terms is used, she writes "Sometimes deliberately used to create humour or to shock and jar the view". (p.8). The author does not attempt to over-simplify complex terms, such as Culture and Discourse, and the explanations given cover a range of meanings ascribed to these contested concepts. Culture, for example, is defined in terms of "shared beliefs, values, customs, lifestyles, ideas and traditions, popular and elite, dynamic and diverse". Discourse is defined as "any formal discussion, conversation or dialogue about a subject" and as the "underlying issues (or context) that surround the discussion and influence the meaning" (p.42). While the author does not talk down to her reader, in some cases the concepts could be better cross-referenced, as in relation to Discourse, where the explanation of when it is used includes terms like "colonisation" and "imperialism". However, as she indicates, the book is not meant to replace a dictionary which students can readily consult. Overall, this is a great reference book for both middle years students and teachers, in an easy to read A4 size clear format! I intend to buy one for my twelve year old and obtain some relief from the constant "Mum, doe y9ou know what this word means?" Izabel
Soliman
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Welcome | Edible
English: The Second Edition | Edible
English | Created by G-Tech Solutions |
