August 2010

Have you ever wondered what a flash mob or a happy letter is? Or do you want to know why “I bought me a ticket” is wrong? And what is the difference between “whose” and “who's”?

The new, updated edition of South Africa's most comprehensive general English dictionary, the Oxford South African Concise Dictionary, contains more than 200,000 entries (including hundreds of new words), and around 2,000 South African words, all authoritatively explained in straightforward English.

“An excellent, highly valuable dictionary. It is particularly pleasing to encounter a dictionary that is so very user-friendly in its layout and design.” John Maytham, Cape Talk, sister station to 702 (Gauteng)

The Oxford South African Concise Dictionary 2nd Edition was compiled by the authors of the popular first edition, the Dictionary Unit for South African English based at Rhodes University in Grahamstown.

The dictionary is suitable not only for South Africa’s high school and tertiary students, but also libraries, families and businesses. It is the most up-to-date all-round reference dictionary currently available in South Africa.

It includes intriguing, in-depth word histories, giving users insight into how "a little worm" came to mean "bright red" (see vermillion); and there are thousands of briefer word origins, exploring the sources of South African and world English. There is also very helpful pronunciation guidance for difficult words, so you can say anything from Armagnac to zorbing with confidence.

“The new entries in this edition reflect the growth areas of the language today.” Prof. Rajend Mesthrie, Linguistics, UCT and editor of English Today

For students and learners, the dictionary has been updated to include new South African and general English words. It also for the first time includes useful encyclopaedic material for South Africa (e.g. history of SA English, SA presidents and prime ministers, SA national and provincial statistics, official languages, and more). Tricky points of grammar and usage are made clear, with offensive words clearly signposted.

Teachers will love the brand-new supplementary material for the reader who wants to know the difference between shall and will (and if it's still important), the Prime Minister before PW Botha, and the names of Neptune's moons.

Bully Monyaki, Deputy Director School Curriculum at the Department of Basic Education, said: “This is a good source that addresses the needs of learners beyond school. I learnt so much from working through it.”

The Oxford South African Concise Dictionary 2nd Edition is now available in hard cover from leading bookshops at a recommended retail price of R395.00 (ISBN 9780195982183).

Editorial contact:
Megan Hall
Publishing Manager: Dictionaries
Email Megan.Hall@oup.com
Tel +27 (0)21 596 2300
Fax +27 (0)21 596 1229

Sales and Marketing contact
Zelda Rowan
Sales and Marketing Manager: Trade
Email Zelda.Rowan@oup.com
Tel +27 (0)21 596 2300
Fax +27 (0)21 596 1234

Link to online catalogue
Oxford South African Concise Dictionary 2nd Edition