Writing
"American:"
Resources for English Language Learners
Here are some culturally-specific resources about American/English slang,
idioms, and abbreviations for writers learning English.
*See also the general research guide to Writing Guides and Resources.
Reference Books
A Writer's
Reference, 4th ed.
REF PE1408 .H2778
1999
Covers composition,
research, sentence structure, word choice and usage, grammar, punctuation,
spelling, and format. Has a chapter on "ESL trouble spots."
Includes Modern Language Association (MLA and American Psychological Association
(APA) style and citation rules.
NTC's American
Idioms Dictionary, 3d ed.
REF PE 2839 .S64
2000
Alphebetical list of American
expressions, from "A for effort" to "see eye to eye"
to "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." Explains
each phrase and gives examples of its use. Index inthe back lists
the main word(s) in an expression to help find it when you can't remember
the exact phrase.
NTC's Dictionary
of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions, 3d ed.
REF PE 2846 .S64
2000
Includes single words as well
as phrases, and typically they are more informal than the entries in the
NTC American Idioms book, above. Entries range from "accidentally-on-purpose"
to kibosh" to "you kiss your momma with that mouth?"
Index inthe back lists the main word(s) in an expression to help find
it when you can't remember the exact phrase.
British/American
Language Dictionary
REF PE 2835 .M6
1991
One section defines
common American terms and slang for speakers of British English; another
defines British terms for Yanks.
English
Idioms and How to Use Them
REF PE 1689 .S
1978
Categorizes idioms
by use and part of speech and treats related idioms together. For
example, one chapter covers idioms that use prepositions and adverbs,
with many examples and explanations of idioms beginning with "by."
The Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Style
(available via Oxford Reference Online)
Dictionary of American
Regional English
REF PE 2843 .D52 v. 1-4.
A 4-volume set listing regional
idioms alphabetically. Gives definition, usage, where the idiom
is used, and its history.
The Oxford
Dictionary of Abbreviations, 2d ed.
REF PE 1693 .O94
1998 (Also available online at Oxford Reference Online)
Has entries like
"NBA" - National Basketball Association.
Abbreviations
Dictionary
REF PE 1693 .W34
1999
Similar but not
identical information.
Web Resources
Online Slang Dictionary (UC Berkeley)
http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~wrader/slang/
Idioms (ESL Cafe)
http://www.eslcafe.com/idioms/
ESL Resources for Students
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/eslstudent.html
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