Review

Jackson, H., & Zé Amvela, E. (2007). Words, meanings and vocabulary: An introduction to modern English lexicology (2nd ed.). London, England & New York, NY: Continuum International Publishing Group.

A language teacher’s library is generally stocked with textbooks and reference books on a wide variety of subjects, but we can always find space for one more title. I’d like to suggest Words, Meanings and Vocabulary: An Introduction to Modern English Lexicology, by Howard Jackson and Etienne Zé Amvela, as a worthy candidate for your bookshelf. This compact book (216 pages, plus a key to exercises, list of references, glossary, and index) provides a concise overview of the fascinating field of lexicology, “a rather neglected pursuit in English over recent years” (p. xi).

I should begin by mentioning that this book is indeed an introduction to, rather than a comprehensive treatment of, the study of words and vocabulary. Furthermore, it should be approached as a reference rather than as a potential textbook to be used in ESL/EFL classrooms. The real value of Words, Meanings and Vocabulary, as I see it, is as a well-organized handbook that introduces the reader to the surprising breadth of the field in eight short chapters. Far more than just an inventory of affixes, the book examines the origins and formations of words (chapter 2); several notions of “word” (chapter 3); different types of word formation (chapter 4); word relations such as synonyms, antonyms, and hyponyms (chapter 5); and varieties of usage, such as national, regional, professional, and subcultural (chapter 6). The seventh chapter focuses on resources: investigating vocabulary, discussing resources and analytical tools, and describing the emerging field of corpus linguistics. The closing chapter enters into the related, though decidedly distinct, field of lexicography, “the writing or compilation of dictionaries” (p. 2) and the scope of decision-making (and controversies!) that goes into compiling and updating dictionaries. In sum, Words, Meanings and Vocabulary is a rather quick and intriguing read for anyone interested in English words.

Each chapter shares a similar organizational sequence. It opens with a “chapter overview” and a list of the topics, followed by a brief set of bullet points that enumerate the objectives of the chapter. The content of each chapter is broken down into three to six topics, each with one or more sections (containing definitions of key terms along with several examples to guide the reader), and a short summary to conclude each chapter. Interspersed throughout each chapter are short exercises, designed to reinforce key concepts reflectively rather than with typical cloze or objective activities. There is an answer key at the end with short but clear explanations for each exercise.

Words, Meanings and Vocabulary is well-researched (I tallied 155 titles in the reference section) and does a fine job of balancing theory with practical information. The writing style is clear and accessible, with short and fairly nontechnical definitions. The authors have done a very nice job of including copious data that provide excellent illustrations to support each of their points. To illustrate, in the section on word borrowings, they have included examples from many regions of the world, such as “Romance loans other than from French,” “Loans from the East,” “Loans from other sources” (pp. 47–49). In addition, they are careful to point out when a word has entered English via another language; “polka came via French in the nineteenth century from Czech” (p. 49).

As I’ve already stated, this is not a book that an ESL/EFL teacher would use as a student text. It does not offer hints on how to introduce or practice vocabulary. Instead, this is a reference that teachers can use when thinking about the many dimensions of words.

The book under review is the second edition, published in 2007, so there have been some updates since it was first published in 2000. The section on electronic resources introduces the reader to electronic dictionaries and text corpora; because these are both rapidly expanding areas, some of the information will necessarily be a bit dated (the fact of which the authors seem well aware). Likewise, under the heading of “sub-cultures” is the section entitled “CB talk” (pp. 158–159), which may or may not strike a chord with many readers. However, as is the case with the entire text, this is an introduction to lexicology, and it is quite easy for a teacher to research the most recent developments in corpus linguistics and/or apply concepts from the book to new linguistic domains. The authors have provided the framework of the field, and the text invites the reader to pursue each topic independently and in greater depth.

Words, Meanings and Vocabulary is a valuable addition to my professional library and will be one I will consult frequently as I prepare my own classes.

Dennis Bricault is professor of Spanish and director of ESL programs at North Park University, Chicago. His research interests include materials development for upper-division grammar courses in both Spanish and English.