Linguistic Evolution With Special Reference to English [Paperback]

Professor Samuels presents a comprehensive explanation of the reasons for linguistic change, applying his theory in particular to the history of English.Professor Samuels presents a comprehensive explanation of the reasons for linguistic change, applying his theory in particular to the history of English. He assesses and mediates between the conflicting dogmas of different schools of linguistics, and offers an alternative theory of linguistic change which is basically simple but has the scope to cover any type of change.Professor Samuels presents a comprehensive explanation of the reasons for linguistic change, applying his theory in particular to the history of English. He assesses and mediates between the conflicting dogmas of different schools of linguistics, and offers an alternative theory of linguistic change which is basically simple but has the scope to cover any type of change.Professor Samuels presents a comprehensive explanation of the reasons for linguistic change, applying his theory in particular to the history of English. He assesses and mediates between the conflicting dogmas of different schools of linguistics, and offers an alternative theory of linguistic change which is basically simple but has the scope to cover any type of change.Preface; Note to second impression; Abbreviations; 1. Introduction; 2. Variation in the spoken chain; 3. System: the phoneme; 4. Grammar and lexis (I): variation; 5. Grammar and lexis (II): systemic regulation; 6. Diversity and contact; 7. An assessment of the problem; 8. Dimensions of study; 9. Conclusions; Bibliography; Index of persons; Index of subjects.'Michael Samuels's neat and careful monograph marks a considerable advance on the presentations of other distinguished scholars inasmuch as it is better balanced and more readable. It is better balanced because it observes a right proportion between abstract and concrete, between scientific description and accompanying exemplification. It is more readable and more elãF