Language Change (Cambridge Textbooks in Linguistics) - Softcover

Bybee, Joan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 110765582X ISBN 13: 9781107655829

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2015

Synopsis

How and why do languages change? This new introduction offers a guide to the types of change at all levels of linguistic structure, as well as the mechanisms behind each type. Based on data from a variety of methods and a huge array of language families, it examines general patterns of change, bringing together recent findings on sound change, analogical change, grammaticalization, the creation and change of constructions, as well as lexical change. Emphasizing crosslinguistic patterns and going well beyond traditional methods in historical linguistics, this book sees change as grounded in cognitive processes and usage factors that are rarely mentioned in other textbooks. Complete with questions for discussion, suggested readings and a useful glossary of terms, this book helps students to gain a general understanding of language as an ever-changing system.

About this title

Review:

'This book, written by someone who has been influential in shaping our understanding of phonological and grammatical processes, provides a new perspective on how the study of language change can be, and in my view should be, approached.' Bernd Heine, University of Cologne

'The distillation of years of teaching topics that her own brilliant work has helped to define, Language Change is a welcome invitation to sit in on one of Bybee's favourite courses. Its broad scope and eclectic coverage, privileging the cognitive, processing and usage factors jointly operating in language users, make this unique among historical linguistics texts. A must-read for students and professionals interested not only in the outcomes but in the mechanisms of language change.' Shana Poplack, University of Ottawa

'... the ideal introduction to language change, stressing cross-linguistic patterns.' Rena Torres Cacoullos, Pennsylvania State University

Book Description:

This new introduction offers a guide to the types of change at all levels of linguistic structure, as well as the mechanisms behind each type. Based on data from a variety of methods and a huge array of language families, it examines patterns of change, and brings together recent findings.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 110765582X
• ISBN 13: 9781107655829
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 309