The Ring of Words

The Ring of Words by Jeremy Marshall

"The Ring of Words" describes the powerful and unique relationship between Tolkien's creative use of language in his fictional works and his professional work on the "Oxford English Dictionary." Tolkien's earliest employment was as an assistant on the staff of the "OED," and he later said that he had 'learned more in those two years than in any other equal part of [his] life'. Here three authors, themselves senior editors of the "OED," engage directly with Tolkien's language and his fictional world. Two discursive sections explore Tolkien as a lexicographer and his creativity as a word user and creator; while the main section of the book is made up of individual 'word studies' which explore words found in Tolkien's fiction in terms of their origins, development, and significance in his fictional world. Words such as 'hobbit', 'attercop', 'precious', 'Smeagol', and 'waybread' are explored in fascinating detail. "The Ring of Words" offers a new and unexplored angle on the creative world of one of our most famous and well-loved writers, presenting new archive material for the first time.

a valuable contribution to study of the OED itself..The Ring of Words successfully reunites the academic and creative aspects of Tolkien. John Garth, TLS

Peter Gilliver is an Associate Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, having joined the project in 1987. He is also working on a history of the OED for Oxford University Press. Jeremy Marshall is an Associate Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary; he joined the department in 1988 as a science editor for the New Shorter OED. He was co-author of Questions of English. Edmund Weiner is Deputy Chief Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary; he joined in 1977 to work on the Supplement to the OED. He has written several books on English grammar and usage, and teaches an annual course in the history of English.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780198610694
ISBN 10	0198610696
Title	The Ring of Words
Author	Jeremy Marshall
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Oxford University Press
Year published	2006-07-01
Number of pages	256
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable