
Understanding Language Change
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 4. November 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
298 pages
978-0-415-71339-9 (ISBN)
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
"An important addition to this excellent series, covering fundamentals in the 'what' of language change such as sound change, changes in the lexicon and syntactic change, as well as the 'why' including contact linguistics and the influence of language policy, and the 'how' including diffusion and spread at multiple social levels. Each chapter comes with a rich set of data-driven problem solving exercises as well as a searching research question."Andrew Hippisley, University of Kentucky, USA
"Drawing upon their own research, and concentrating upon English phenomena without ever losing sight of issues in other language communities, Kate Burridge and Alexander Bergs have packed a wealth of insights into a volume which is sure to make historical linguistics, in its broadest sense, both relevant and attractive to students, other linguists and curious laypeople alike. With its discussions and rich array of activities, this is a book which can be recommended for any undergraduate or MA programme in English Language or Linguistics."
Anthony Grant, Edge Hill University, UK
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
34 s/w Zeichnungen, 41 s/w Tabellen
41 Tables, black and white; 34 Line drawings, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
480 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-71339-9 (9780415713399)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Kate Burridge | Alexander Bergs
Understanding Language Change
Book
11/2016
1st Edition
Routledge
€208.20
Shipment within 15-20 days

Kate Burridge | Alexander Bergs
Understanding Language Change
E-Book
11/2016
Routledge
€52.49
Available for download

Kate Burridge | Alexander Bergs
Understanding Language Change
E-Book
11/2016
Routledge
€52.49
Available for download
Persons
Kate Burridge is Professor and Chair of Linguistics at Monash University, Australia.
Alexander Bergs is Professor and Chair of English Language and Linguistics at the University of Osnabrueck, Germany.
Alexander Bergs is Professor and Chair of English Language and Linguistics at the University of Osnabrueck, Germany.
Content
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
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