Historical Linguistics: an introduction

Description

Historical Linguistics provides a comprehensive and clearly written introduction to historical linguistic theory and methods. Since its first publication in 1962 the book has established itself as core reading for students of linguistics. This edition has been thoroughly revised. Drawing on recent linguistic and archaeological research Professor Lehmann incorporates key developments in the field. These include exciting advances in the history and development of writing: and in typological classification which allows better understanding of the structure of early languages. Well-illustrated with Indo-European examples, and supplementary exercises which draw on data from other language families as well, the book will enable students to carry out independent work in historical studies on any language family, as well as up-to-date work in Indo-European. Cover ......Page 1 Title Page......Page 3 Copyright Page......Page 4 Dedication......Page 5 Table of Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 7 Transcription and phonological symbols......Page 10 Abbreviations......Page 14 Map showing the principal language families of the world......Page 17 1. Introduction......Page 21 2. The background of historical linguistic study......Page 43 3. The use of written records......Page 66 4. Genealogical classification......Page 85 5. Typological classification......Page 116 6. Linguistic communities......Page 134 7. The comparative method......Page 161 8. The method of internal reconstruction......Page 182 9. Glottochronology......Page 195 10. Sound change - change in phonological systems......Page 203 11. Morphological change......Page 239 12. Syntactic change......Page 257 13. Semantic change and changes in the lexicon......Page 274 14. Interrelationships among changes......Page 299 15. Linguistic and cultural change......Page 314 16. Conclusion......Page 328 References......Page 340 Index......Page 348