Historical Linguistics: Toward a Twenty-First Century Reintegration - Softcover

Ringe, Don

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521587115 ISBN 13: 9780521587112

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2013

Synopsis

Bringing the advances of theoretical linguistics to the study of language change in a systematic way, this innovative textbook demonstrates the mutual relevance of historical linguistics and contemporary linguistics. Numerous case studies throughout the book show both that theoretical linguistics can be used to solve problems where traditional approaches to historical linguistics have failed to produce satisfying results, and that the results of historical research can have an impact on theory. The book first explains the nature of human language and the sources of language change in broad terms. It then focuses on different types of language change from contemporary viewpoints, before exploring comparative reconstruction - the most spectacular success of traditional historical linguistics - and the problems inherent in trying to devise new methods for linguistic comparison. Positioned at the cutting edge of the field, the book argues that this approach can and should lead to the re-integration of historical linguistics as one of the core areas in the study of language.

About this title

Review:

'Engaging, clear, modern, and intellectually honest ... this book will inspire a new generation of work in historical linguistics.' Philomen Probert, University of Oxford

'... a thought-provoking and innovative introduction to historical linguistics, combining a masterful command of traditional methods and a wide familiarity with cutting-edge research in theoretical linguistics.' Michael Weiss, Cornell University

Book Description:

Bringing the advances of theoretical linguistics to the study of language change, this textbook demonstrates the mutual relevance of historical linguistics and contemporary linguistics. It argues that this approach can and should lead to the re-integration of historical linguistics as one of the core areas in the study of language.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0521587115
• ISBN 13: 9780521587112
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 328