Encyclopedia of Linguistics

The Encyclopedia of Linguistics, a new reference source to be published by Routledge in the second half of 2004, will represent a new approach to this genre of reference work. It is intended for use by teachers and students of linguistics and related fields, as well as interested general readers. It is our goal to provide up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of the field in a manner as neutral and accessible as possible.

The book will appear in one volume containing over 500 essay entries (arranged alphabetically) and an expansive glossary. We are committed to making even the more complex linguistic issues understandable for the nonspecialized reader. The approach will be both historical and international, with emphasis on the varied perspectives, figures, and methodologies that make up the field.

The encyclopedia will contain entries of four primary types:

Topic entries (approximately 250 entries) will cover a wide range of theoretical issues and highlight the main problems discussed in the relevant subdisciplines of linguistics. The essay will introduce the topic, place it in its historical context, and discuss its significance. Each topic article will be followed by a list of selected further readings.

Language entries (approximately 150 entries) will provide the reader with a broad phenomenological and historical overview. In order to capture the variability of language, each entry will concentrate on those particular characteristics that differentiate the language (or language family) at hand from others. Each language article will be followed by a list of selected further readings.

Countries and Region entries (approximately 30 entries) will highlight linguistic issues specific to a given country or geographic region. Since the phenomenological aspects of the languages involved are likely to be discussed in a separate language entry, these regional essays concentrate more on the political and sociological aspects of linguistic diversity, language planning, education, etc. Each region article will be followed by a list of selected further readings.

Linguist entries (approximately 100 entries) will focus on that person's contribution to the theoretical development of linguistics. Since each essay will be followed by a brief biographical sketch, the text of the entry should avoid biography in favor of an objective introduction to the entrant’s scholarship. A list of selected publications by the individual, as well as a general list of selected further readings, will follow the essay as well.

If you would like to be involved in this project, please look over the Complete List of Entries elsewhere on this website. The list was created in consultation with a carefully selected advisory board. If you would be interested in contributing one or more articles, and/or are able to suggest potential contributors for any of these items, please let us know by email to Sue Gamer at linguistics@taylorandfrancis.com. All contributors are encouraged to mention this project to colleagues. Your help is most appreciated.

The fee schedule for essays is as follows: contributors will receive $50/£33 for 1,000 word essays, $100/£66 for 2,000-3,000 word essays, and $200/£133 for 5,000 word essays. Payment will be made upon publication of the encyclopedia. Contributors may purchase copies of the book at half price (the retail price will be about $300/£175).

I hope you will be able to contribute to this work, and I thank you for your consideration of this project.

Sincerely,

Philipp Strazny, Editor