Excellent news for logophils (a nonce word which we intend to mean ‘addicts of words and language’). The first issue of NZWords,the New Zealand equivalent of Ozwords,is now out. It is the newsletter of the New Zealand Dictionary Centre, Victoria University of Wellington, and is published by Oxford University Press, New Zealand. Editor Tony Deverson tells us that ‘NZWordsintends to keep readers informed of all aspects of the research and publication activities of the NZDC and to publish informative articles on New Zealand lexical topics’ and that he welcomes ‘questions and observations about this country’s distinctive words and usages’. This first issue includes a speech given in celebration of Harry Orsman’s magnificent Dictionary of New Zealand Englishwhich has just won the Montana medal, New Zealand’s biggest literary prize. NZWordis available free of charge on application by snail mail to The Subscription Manager, NZWords,PO Box 11-149, Ellerslie, Auckland (email: pattersd@oup.com.au).

If our readers (all logophils, I know) have not come across an admirable and entertaining radio programme called ‘Lingua Franca’ serendipitously, we urge them to tune in to it. It is hosted by Jill Kitson and is dedicated to the exploration of words and language. It is broadcast on ABC Radio National at 2.45 p.m. each Saturday and is repeated at 11.45 a.m. the following Tuesday. ‘A great feast of languages’, as Shakespeare said.

Frederick Ludowyk
Editor, Ozwords