The Dialect Laboratory: Dialects as a testing ground for theories of language change: 128 (Studies in Language Companion Series) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9027205957 ISBN 13: 9789027205957

Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Co, 2012

Synopsis

Much theorizing in language change research is made without taking into account dialect data. Yet, dialects seem to be superior data to build a theory of linguistic change on, since dialects are relatively free of standardization and therefore more tolerant of variant competition in grammar. In addition, as compared to most cross-linguistic and diachronic data, dialect data are unusually high in resolution. This book shows that the study of dialect variation has indeed the potential, perhaps even the duty, to play a central role in the process of finding answers to fundamental questions of theoretical historical linguistics. It includes contributions which relate a clearly formulated theoretical question of historical linguistic interest with a well-defined, solid empirical base. The volume discusses phenomena from different domains of grammar (phonology, morphology and syntax) and a wide variety of languages and language varieties in the light of several current theoretical frameworks.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Co
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9027205957
• ISBN 13: 9789027205957
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304
• Editor: De Vogelaer Gunther, Seiler Guido