Synopsis
This is a lucid and up-to-date overview of language change. It discusses where our evidence about language change comes from, how and why changes happen, and how languages begin and end. It considers both changes which occurred long ago, and those currently in progress. It does this within the framework of one central question - is language change a symptom of progress or decay? It concludes that language is neither progressing nor decaying, but that an understanding of the factors surrounding change is essential for anyone concerned about language alteration. For this substantially revised third edition, Jean Aitchison has included two new chapters on change of meaning and grammaticalization. Sections on new methods of reconstruction and ongoing chain shifts in Britain and America have also been added as well as over 150 new references. The work remains non-technical in style and accessible to readers with no previous knowledge of linguistics.
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Review
'The book is a very good and readable introduction to the discipline of historical linguistics and covers a very large number of questions.' The Linguist
Book Description
This is a lucid and up-to-date overview of language change, considering both changes that occurred long ago and those currently in progress. This substantially revised third edition includes two new chapters on change of meaning and grammaticalization. New sections have also been added as well as over150 new references.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
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Search results for Language Change: Progress or Decay? (1st Edition)
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Language change: Progress or decay?
Seller: Hilton Books, Sandbach, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Fair. Seller Inventory # 000150
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Language Change : Progress or Decay?
Published by
HarperCollins Publishers Limited, 1981
ISBN 10: 0006359833
ISBN 13: 9780006359838
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 45936889-20
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Language Change: Progress or Decay? (Fontana Linguistics)
Seller: Anybook.com, Lincoln, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Poor. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings. In poor condition, suitable as a reading copy. No dust jacket. Re-bound by library. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,350grams, ISBN:0006359833. Seller Inventory # 7059701
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Language Change: Progress or Decay.
Published by
London: Fontana, 1981
ISBN 10: 0006359833
ISBN 13: 9780006359838
Used
Paperback
First Edition
Seller: Plurabelle Books Ltd, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Series: Fontana Linguistics. 266p large paperback, a fresh and clean copy, no names or traces of use Language: English. Seller Inventory # 50242
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Language Change: Progress or Decay?
Seller: BettsBooksWales, Aberystwyth, CERED, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. VG. Decorative card covers. Book is in very good condition with minor signs of wear and/or age. Covers a bit rubbed aorund the edges. Seller Inventory # ABE-1704442384419