Origin and Diversification of Language

Swadesh, Morris H. [Sherzer, Joel F. (ed.)]

Published by Routledge & Kegan Paul London 1972

About this Item

1st edition hardback with dust jacket Nice copy tall octavo xviii + 350pp., bibliog., indexes, 'Morris Swadesh, one of this century's foremost scientific investigators of language, dedicated much of his life to the study of the origin and evolution of language. This volume, left nearly completed at his death and edited posthumously by Joel F. Sherzer, is his last major study. Swadesh discusses the simple qualities of human speech also present in animal language, and establishes distinctively human techniques of expression by comparing the common features that are found in modern and ancient languages. He treats the diversification of language not only by isolating root words in different languages, but also by dealing with sound systems, with forms of composition, and with sentence structure. In so doing, he demonstrates the evidence for the expansion of all language from a single central area'.

Seller Inventory # 152057

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Origin and Diversification of Language
• Publisher: Routledge & Kegan Paul London 1972
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included