Good Word Guide - book review

Because new words are entering the English language at an astonishing speed - encouraged by new mediums such as the Internet, e-mail, and text messaging – use of the English language, both spoken and written, is in constant flux. Therefore, people wanting to improve their use of formal English require more than the self-help offered by a dictionary or thesaurus. Highly recommended, the fifth edition of the Good Word Guide is an essential tool for anyone whose work requires good communication skills. Every entry has easily understood explanations and examples that answer all your language usage questions.

This reference bookhas an interesting variety of informative tables. One that I like is the table of animals that lists the names of the male, female and young of the animal kingdom. Did you know that the young of a wolf is a whelp? I also wonder how many people know what to call the young of a falcon? We all know that a female dog is a bitch, but how many people know that a female cat is a queen?

The table of collective nouns is fascinating. One that is commonly incorrect is the collective form for fish; we have a school of dolphins, but it is a shoal of fish. A toastmaster could have a field day with the different species of birds such as a murmuration of starlings, a flight ofswallows, a host of sparrows, a mutation of thrushes, and a descent of woodpeckers.

Even more fun is using one of the other tables to learn the correct words for collectors and enthusiasts. I discovered that I’m a phonophilist while my sister is an argyrothecologist. It is possible that you are a deltiologist or a cruciverbamorist!

If you think they look like foreign words, then you might be having trouble with the inclusion into English of some real foreign words. It is uncommon in current education systems to study the relationship of Latin and French as it relates to English. Therefore, some of the words that are becoming commonplace in daily life are not well understood. For example, du jour, en passant, beau monde, malaise, in toto and goujon . These and many others are included as a table in the Guide.

Other tables that are very useful are Countries and people, Non-sexist terms, in addition to Phobias, Prefixes, Suffixes, Verbs (irregular), Similes and Smileys :-))

Can you read these sentences?

• MMYT B4 I CUl8r

If you don’t understand that, I’ll probably:

• ROTFL, SWDYT?

You might think it’s:

• NOYB, I’ve BTDT, and BCBC.

Completely lost? The Good Word Guide will bring you up to speed on the basics of text messaging. I’ll translate.

• Mail me your thoughts before I see u later.
• Roll on the floor laughing, so what do you think?
• None of your business, I’ve been there done that, and beggars can’t be choosers.

Seriously though, this is a book that should be on everyone’s bookshelf because it goes beyond the self-help offered by dictionaries and thesauruses. The Guide will also offer help with spelling difficulties, both problematic words such as innocuous and words that can be confused such as principle/principal.

Public speakers will be able to derive benefit from the Guide also because help is given with pronunciation of foreign words such as Celtic and flaccid, ensuring that you will be able to make your speech with the confidence that you are pronouncing important words correctly. One example of a common word that has four acceptable pronunciations is amateur, a public speaker is well advised to know which one is most frequent.

Aspiring writers will also be pleased that the Guide explains punctuation in a clear and understandable way. For example, look up comma, and there is a whole page of guidance on how this often-misused punctuation mark is used. It is explained clearly and also informs the reader when rules are optional and explains why. Sentence examples are given to demonstrate each rule.

When is it all right to use the word alright? The Guide is perfectly clear on this. “The spellingall right is correct; the spelling alright is wrong.” It then goes on to explain the arguments surrounding this word, and the argument that some users put forward to validate the use ofalright.

Should I write cannot or can not? Am I trying to say into or in to? Is it spelt principle orprincipal? What is the difference between stationary and stationery? Find the answer and explanations to these and hundreds of other questions in the alphabetical listings of the Good Word Guide.

The editor does not insist that original meanings of words should be the old English form. TheGuide considers the language usage of the present day understanding of words, and moves with the times. One example is the word gay. The Guide acknowledges that the meaning has altered from merry to homosexual male. Therefore, a gay bachelor is no longer a merry person, and using it when referring to a heterosexual man could cause serious offence.

Differences between American and British English are mentioned when appropriate. For example: the British Down’s syndrome is, in American English, Down syndrome; burned is preferred in American English and burnt in British English (in transitive contexts), but in intransitive contexts, burned is the accepted form for both. We are also told that the French spelling of ambience is ambiance.

In the time I’ve been using this book, it has never strayed far from my desk. I’ve corrected drafts, resolved arguments with fellow writers, and polished my punctuation with ease. It is now my preferred textbook for determining correct English usage and I consider it an essential text for everyone who requires high levels of communication skills, whether for creative or formal writing, or speaking in public.