Dictionary Reviews

An assortment of thousands of African personal names interpreted in detail are here in this book e.g. Matutu (prominence), Mawanga (ethnic groups), Achoka (the dark one), Akayesu (the one of Jesus), Magezi (braininess), Magero (miracles), Muliro (fire), Misha (village), Asis/ Asita (God). The ethnic group and country origin of each name is given, and also the pronunciation. The book shows that African names are so intimately related to culture, history, social situations, religion, birth situations, proverbs, love, anger, joy, dissapointment, etc. A unique aspect of this large book is that a quarter of it is dedicated to exploring the naming practices, cultures, histories, folklore of many African groups including the Zulu, Kikuyu, Tutsi, Hutu, Swahili, etc. You will not be disappointed if you want to get details about African backgrounds and if you have interest in African names. The book has so many references too that you can use. The book is therefore good for the general readers, the students, and the instructors.

"Until the publication [of this book], it has been extremely difficult to find any primer that collects and defines the meaning of some African names...in English translation. ...the [book tries] to delineate, translate, and put into definitive contexts, these names...as a means of reaching the bigger English audience that is unaware of the rich African traditional linguistic heritage. In [the book] Jonathan Musere and Christopher Odhiambo examine more than 4000 personal names from Sub-Saharan Africa, with special emphasis on Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. The book is divided into two parts, whereby the first part looks at the origins of the ethnic groups in discussion, as well as their linguistic development over the generations. The ethnic groups whose select names appear in this book include the Acholi, Alur, Bolia, Bushong, Embu, Ganda, Gisu, Gombe, Hemba, Hutu, Iteso, Jopadhola, Kaguru, Kakwa, Kanyok, Karamojong, Jie, Kiga, Kikuyu, Kongo, Langi, Luba, Lugbara, Luo, Luwa, Luyia, Maasai, Mongo, Nandi, Ngbandi, Ntomba, nyankore, Nyoro, Ovimbundu, Pare, Samia, Shona, Soga, Sotho, Suk, Swahili, Tetela, Toro, Turkana, Tutsi, Twa, Yaka, Yoombe, Zezuru and Zulu. The book looks at the western as well as traditional definition of these ethnic groups. For example, the ancestral name for the Ganda is the plural, "Baganda," while the singular noun is "Muganda." The customary name of the Soga is the plural "Basoga," while "Musoga" is the singular noun. The second part of the book lists the select names from the above ethnic groups in alphabetical order. For example, [the name] "chilimo" is given to one that is born during a season of cultivation. The book gives the pronunciation of chilimo as "tch-ih-lih-moh." (S.B. Isabirye in "Papyrus" Vol. 6, No.2, Winter 2000).

A medium sized book in which thousands of African names, their ethnic group and country origins, and their pronunciations are treated to detail. Through the introduction, and the name interpretations, it is shown that names and naming practices in Africa are intimately linked to items like family issues, disappointment, anger, happiness, religion, birth order, demeanor of mother or child, clan group, occupation of the parents, proverbs, etc. The book serves those interested in African names, culture, and proverbs; very good for the general reader and one who is into research on African culture. The book is carefully crafted and heavily referenced. The authors must have devoted a lot of time to putting together literary as well as oral information. Many books on African names are rather simplistic. Some of the names found in this book: Thembi (trust), Sibusiso (blessing), Sepsi (mercy), Simomo (patience), Tayari (ready), Tankiso/ Tebogo(gratitude), Musango (accusation), Lugo (leopard), Lerato (love), Azimio (political declaration), Mayinja (stones), Uhuru (freedom), Umot (a first born), Muguzi (buyer), Mukama (Lord).

"Africa is a continent with thousands of cultures, traditions and languages. Names are part and parcel of the enrichedAfrican heritage. African personal names run into thousands, if not millions.... What this book has done is to compile a listing of about 2,500 names from key central, eastern and southern African countries such as Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Central african Republic, the two Congos, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.... Not only does this book explain the meaning of the name, but it does so in a concise and straightforward comprehensible manner that the general public would understand. In addition, unlike most other books on the matter, this one spells out the actual and correct pronunciation of each name. In addition, unlike most earlier works, this book goes out of its way to list the Western as well as the traditional spelling of the word. For example, "Nalubale" is the Western phonological way of spelling this name, while "Nnalubale" is its traditional and authentic equivalent. What makes this book most appealing is the authors' personal and cultural connection to Africa and hence, their intimate knowledge of the names and their meaning. In addition, the book is written in a concise and clear-cut language that is devoid of unnecessary jargon. ...Jonathan Musere and Shirley C. yakutaga are highly commended for ingeniously having compiled a very well written and illustrated...book about key African names as well as their basic significance, culturally. This book is highly rcommended for people of the African Diaspora, who for historical and/or cultural reasons may want to adoptsome African names. The book will also be invaluable to Africanists, instructors, and teachers of African Linguistics, Literature, History, and Politics, as well as being a basic introductory dictionary to the extremely rich African heritage. The book will also prove to be handy to business people, expatriates, tourists and journey persons who are interested in or have chosen Africa as their destination of travel and/or work." (Stephen Balyanango Isabirye in "The Griot" Vol. 18, No. 2, Fall 1999).

I bought this to communicate with my Albanian in-laws. It has been quite useful. It is small and very portable. I recommend this for someone who needs the basics.

Very useful, most important for immigrant albanian people spread over all over the world. Very practical one, written in a simple and modern way. Congratulations and my highest recommandation to the author.

After much research we chose "Aleph Isn't Tough" to teach a Hebrew class to a community group made up of mostly non-jews. The students found this workbook to be very user friendly and a good introduction to judaism. At the end of "Aleph Isn't Tough", most of our students were clamouring to go on to "Aleph Isn't Enough" and we will be starting that class shortly.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone thinking of teaching a Hebrew class or anyone wishing to learn to READ Hebrew on their own. Note: This workbook is not designed to teach people to speak Hebrew, you will need an audio program for that.

Linda Motzkin's book _Aleph Isn't Tough_ certainly makes it possible for beginning adult students to master the basics of the Hebrew alphabet. I had tried other books before choosing this one, and it rates above them. Each chapter presents information that builds upon previous chapters. Explanations of Hebrew roots, key quotes from the Bible, and excerpts from prayers engage the reader and introduce him/her to elements key to following a service. Motzkin's explanations of the vowels and consonants and various exceptions to rules were clear, and the book is well organized, too. After completing the ten lessons, I can follow along in services. If that is your goal, too, then this is the book for you. I eagerly await the book's sequel, _Aleph Isn't Enough_.

The only fabric book comes with real fabric swatches. A great reference for fabric artists. You know how sometimes you want to achieve certain quality but don't know what material to use. The description of each fabric helps me to choose the right material for the right projects and make sure it stays that way forever. I also learn more materials for my fabric sculpture. I finally found this ideal book after so many years.

I love fabric and love to sew, but don't really know much about the fabrics I use. These books are so well-designed and well-written that it is a joy to learn from them. Be sure to buy the versions with the fabric samples included - that's what makes these books so special!

I purchased this book last year for an essay course I taught at a Korean university. It's an incredible book and I wish the authors would make this a series. The stories deal with many topics and they're never dull. The book also provides excellent material for teaching grammar, which is essential for good writing.

The authors divide the stories into chapters that deal with certain themes. For example, the first chapter is named "A Life Lesson." All of the stories in that chapter have protagonists that learn something significant in the story.

Each story is presented with the same format:

Think Before You Read
Literary Term
Idioms and Expressions
Comprehension
Vocabulary
Grammar
Sharing Ideas
Writing

The grammar lessons are excellent, I found it very easy to cover the topics. Unlike other ESL materials, I rarely had to supplement the book with outside material. There is a wealth of material in each chapter and it makes a reading and writing course informative yet fun for the students.

I was impressed with their selection of writers. They chose stories from heavyweights like Ernest Hemingway and Langston Hughes, but they also have excellent stories from lesser known writers. They also show the diversity of the American experience by including stories by ethnic writers.

I would highly recommend this book as a text for a reading and writing course for ESL students at the university level or advanced high school students.

I am an ESL/HS English teacher and have used America Writes for two years now. The choices of stories is excellent, introducing English language students to classic authors such as, Hemingway, Langston Hughes,Hawthorne, and O. Henry (to name just a few). The prereading questions and vocabulary along with idioms and expressions help tremendously to prepare the reader for the selection. It's great being able to have my students read at the higher level of content that they are ready for emotionally and intellectually and still have their language needs addressed. I would love to see this be made into a series with more than the one edition!! I highly recommend it for teachers as well as students working on their own to broaden their reading in English!!!

This book is no ordinary pronunciation book. It's "the" Book. It goes beyond teaching vowel and consonant sounds. It's about the way americans speak. For the first time I've been working with sound transitions and blendings. It feels great to notice the changes in my pronunciation.At the same time, I improve my vocabulary and learn great idiomatic expressions, up-to-date ones. As the author points out the main problems each native speaker might have, it is easier for us, students, to identify our weak points and this way, dedicate more time and effort to improve them.

It's an excellent book for ESL teachers, students and speakers who want to improve their speech abilities, working with reduction of English accent. The section with useful expressions is really helpful. You practice the consonants and vowels and learn idiomatic expressions at the same time. Also, the author has an idea of the weak points that students from different languages may present. Knowing the sounds that are most difficult for Portuguese speakers helps a lot in my teaching and in my self-improvement.

I already have the AHD 3rd edition(paper back) and is my first dictionary made in the U.S.A. The best thing of the AHD is that it satisfies what we want from dictionaries in everyday uses. The definitions are clear, simple, and precise. Besides, identification of word origins is the most useful feature to give in-depth understanding on each word. I couldn't resist buying the new AHD 4th edition. One more thing. The color combination of the cover page is surely more attractive than that of the 3rd edition. I think I'm going to treasure this dictionary. :)

This dictionary is one of the most informative dictionaries of the English tongue (both in Britain and America) I have come across so far. Other dictionaries such as Britain's Chambers dictionary offer merely the definitions. The American Heritage Dictionary, however, offers the words' definitions, etymologies, and various pronunciations and spellings. In addition, this dictionary is also encyclopedic, succinctly explaining about certain people, places, events, et cetera. Moreover, many of these encyclopedic explanations are accompanied by small photographs. I do question, however, the title "The American Heritage Dictionary". Many of the words in this dictionary are also spoken in other countries such as Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ireland. Indeed, there are Americanisms included in this dictionary. But one may also find these Americanisms in British dictionaries such as Chambers. Nevertheless, as a whole the American Heritage dictionary will be beneficial to English speakers of all nationalities.

Having been fortunate enough to have had Ed Swick as an instructor over 15 years ago, I knew this book would be excellent. American Idioms and Some Phrases Just for Fun is more than just fun, it is essential for those who desire a true understanding of the English language. Due to it's lighthearted approach it is addtionally an excellent gift for foreign friends.

As an experienced ESL instructor I am always looking for new and innovative materials for my students. American Idioms and Some Phrases Just for Fun is a harmless, though practical, and recreational book. It's style is sensitive to the all-too-often fear of learning English, not only for the ESL student but the native speaker as well! In addition, the activities in the book are easily adapted to any ESL/ESOL/Bilingual Ed teacher inservice components, specifically applied linguistics. Once the native or non-native participant finishes, he or she will probably want to forge on to more advanced materials without hesitation.