Principles of Historical Linguistics

Description

Historical linguistic theory and practice contains a great number of different 'layers' which have been accepted in the course of time and have acquired a permanency of their own. These range from neogrammarian conceptualizations of sound change and analogy to present-day ideas on rule change and language mixture. To get a full grasp of the principles of historical linguistics it is therefore necessary to understand the nature and justifications (or shortcomings) of each of these 'layers', not just to look for a single 'overarching' theory. The major purpose of the book is to provide in up-to-date form such an understanding of the principles of historical linguistics and the related fields of comparative linguistics and linguistic reconstruction. In addition, the book provides a very broad exemplification of the principles of historical linguistics. Preface Contents Maps and charts 1. Introduction 2. Phonetics, transcription, terminology, abbreviations 3. Sound change: The regularity hypothesis 4. Sound change and phonological contrast 5. Sound change: Assimilation, weakening, loss 6. Sound change: Dissimilation, haplology, metathesis 7. Sound change: Epenthesis, elimination of hiatus, other changes 8. Sound change: Structure and function 9. Analogy: General discussion and typology 10. Analogy: Tendencies of analogical change 11. Analogy and generative grammar 12. Semantic change 13. Syntactic change 14. Linguistic contact: Lexical borrowing 15. Linguistic contact: Dialectology 16. Linguistic contact: Koinés, convergence, pidgins, creoles, language death 17. Internal reconstruction 18. Comparative method: Establishing linguistic relationship 19. Comparative reconstruction 20. Linguistic change: Its nature and causes Notes References Index