This book goes beyond the boundaries of a standard text, using controversial and compelling ideas to explore the relationship between fundamental concepts in historical linguistics.
- An original and engaging introduction to the subject of historical linguistics
- Presents controversial but compelling ideas in developing a clear understanding as to why historical linguistics has had significant success in some domains, such as phonological history, and why it is considerably less successful in others
- Explores the relationship between fundamental concepts in historical linguistics, topics such as 'language' and 'change', and corresponding notions in contemporary (synchronic) linguistic theory
- Features extensive discussion of traditional and theoretically-oriented historical work in the domains of phonology and syntax.
Introduction.
Part I: “Language” and “Language Change”: Preliminaries.
1. What is “Language”?.
2. Linguistic Artifacts: Philology.
3. What is a “Descent” Relationship?.
Part II: Phonological Change.
4. Galilean-Style Phonology.
5. The Traditional Approach.
6. In-Depth Consideration of Selected Issues.
7. The Regularity of Sound l#