Borrowed Words

A History of Loanwords in English

Philip Durkin (Oxford University Press)

$94.95

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Oxford University Press
09 February 2014

Language: reference & general; Language: history & general works; linguistics; Historical & comparative linguistics; Lexicography

The rich variety of the English vocabulary reflects the vast number of words it has taken from other languages. These range from Latin, Greek, Scandinavian, Celtic, French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian to, among others, Hebrew, Maori, Malay, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, andYiddish. Philip Durkin's full and accessible history reveals how, when, and why. He shows how to discover the origins of loanwords, when and why they were adopted, and what happens to them once they have been. The long documented history of English includes contact with languages in a variety of contexts, including: the dissemination of Christian culture in Latin in Anglo-Saxon England, and the interactions of French, Latin, Scandinavian, Celtic, and English during the Middle Ages; exposure to languages throughout the world during the colonial era; and the effects of using English as an international language of science. Philip Durkin describes these and other historical inputs, introducing the approaches each requires, from the comparative method for the earliest period to documentary and corpus research in the modern. The discussion is illustrated at every point with examples taken from a variety of different sources. The framework Dr Durkin develops can be used to explore lexical borrowing in any language. This outstanding book is for everyone interested in English etymology and in loanwords more generally. It will appeal to a wide general public and at the same time offers a valuable reference for scholars and students of the history of English.

By: Philip Durkin (Oxford University Press)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 250mm, Width: 181mm, Spine: 35mm
Weight: 1g
ISBN: 9780199574995
ISBN 10: 0199574995
Pages: 512
Publication Date: 09 February 2014
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Philip Durkin, Oxford University Press Philip Durkin is Principal Etymologist of the Oxford English Dictionary. His Oxford Guide to Etymology (2009; paperback edition 2011) has become the standard work in the field.

Reviews for Borrowed Words: A History of Loanwords in English

Philip Durkin has shown himself in this highly readable book to be a 'superstar' in the etymological history of words borrowed into English. Eric Stanley, Notes and Queries Written clearly and authoritatively, the History of Loanwords in English is a solid, scholarly piece of work ... While being intellectually rigorous, the monograph is also highly readable, and Durkinas skill of explaining very complex issues in an uncomplicated way, as well as his precise terminological apparatus are particularly worth emphasizing. One may wonder whether the book has any weaknesses at all. Miroslawa Podhajecka, International Journal of Lexicography Philip Durkin introduces and investigates how successive phases of language contact have made their mark on the vocabulary of English. Underlying the whole enterprise is an impressive, sagacious control of basic (and more advanced) principles, which are gradually laid out before the reader and illustrated with much thought. This is an important and engaging book. Richard Dance, University of Cambridge an indispensable addition to the library shelves. Sarah Powell, Reference Reviews