Full Description
The Understanding Language series provides approachable, yet authoritative, introductions to all the major topics in linguistics. Ideal for students with little or no prior knowledge of linguistics, each book carefully explains the basics, emphasising understanding of the essential notions rather than arguing for a particular theoretical position.
Understanding Language Change offers a complete introduction to historical linguistics and language change. The book takes a step-by-step approach, first by introducing concepts through English examples and building on this with illustrations from other languages.
Key features of this introductory text include:
up to date and recent case studies at the end of each chapter
chapter summaries and exercises that feature a wide range of languages
coverage of application of historical linguistics in each chapter
glossary of terms
This book is essential reading for any students studying Historical Linguistics for the first time.
Contents
Chapter One: Setting the Scene
Chapter Two: Changes to the Lexicon
Chapter Three: Changes to the Semantics
Chapter Four: Changes in Sound Structure
Chapter Five: Change in Word Structure
Chapter Six: Change in Sentence Structure
Chapter Seven: The Spread of Change
Chapter Eight: Languages in Contact
Chapter Nine: Relatedness between Languages
Chapter Ten: An end on't
