Collection and Resources Development Policy

Language and LinguisticsLinguistics includes phonetics and semantics; language includes dictionaries, grammars and the history of language. The Language and Linguistics collection is closely associated with the Sociology collection, particularly in the area of sociolinguistics.

Collection overviewCollecting in language and linquistics is at a basic information level, with a strong focus on English. The only exception is indigenous languages, which are collected at a comprehensive level.

Collection strengths

LanguageIndigenous language material is comprehensively acquired, as well as some 19th-century classical language works. For more general areas of language, the Library maintains a basic information collection.

The collection of language materials has historically been developed to reflect the language diversity of the population of Victoria. The most emphasised languages have been English, French, German, Italian and Modern Greek. The Library has built up a collection of historical works in the area of Greek language. With the changing migration patterns to Australia, languages other than English are no longer emphasized.

Dictionaries and grammars are acquired for as many languages as possible. The general aim is to provide a well-balanced collection of authoritative material to enable the student or informed speaker to resolve a point of language or grammar. Dictionaries, particularly bilingual dictionaries and grammars, are acquired for all language groups.

LinguisticsStrengths exist in English language history, etymology, English dialects and contemporary usage. Collecting of Australian Aboriginal linguistic material is at a research level. There are significant collections of Old and Middle English (Philology) works. Currently linguistics material is collected at a basic information level with the emphasis on acquiring non-specialist works. The Library collects material that gives a general overview of developments in linguistics, with a particular emphasis on phonetics, semantics and historical linguistics at a basic information level.

Material not generally collected• textbooks and course material, except for legal deposit • ‘Teach yourself’ books • English-language learning courses, which are offered by a range of other providers, particularly

community-based organisations • subject-specific multilingual dictionaries • highly technical and academic material on linguistics designed for specialists, except for legal deposit.