
A Short History of Linguistics
R.H. Robins(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
4th Edition
Published on 28. February 1997
Book
Paperback/Softback
296 pages
978-0-582-24994-3 (ISBN)
Description
This complete revision and updating of Professor Robins' classic text offers a comprehensive account of the history of linguistic thought from its European origins some 2500 years ago to the present day. It examines the independent development of linguistic science in China and Medieval Islam, and especially in India, which was to have a profound effect on European and American linguistics from the end of the eighteenth century.
The fourth edition of A Short History of Linguistics gives a greater prominence to the work of Wilhelm von Humboldt, because of the lasting importance of his work on language in relation to general eighteenth century thinking and of its perceived relevance in the latter half of the twentieth century to several aspects of generative grammatical theory. The final section, covering the twentieth century, has been rewritten and divided into two new chapters, so as to deal effectively with the increasingly divergent development of descriptive and theoretical linguistics that took place in the latter half of this century.
Readable and authoritative, Professor Robins' introduction provides a clear and up-to-date overview of all the major issues in the light of contemporary scholarly debate, and will be essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students of linguistics alike.
The fourth edition of A Short History of Linguistics gives a greater prominence to the work of Wilhelm von Humboldt, because of the lasting importance of his work on language in relation to general eighteenth century thinking and of its perceived relevance in the latter half of the twentieth century to several aspects of generative grammatical theory. The final section, covering the twentieth century, has been rewritten and divided into two new chapters, so as to deal effectively with the increasingly divergent development of descriptive and theoretical linguistics that took place in the latter half of this century.
Readable and authoritative, Professor Robins' introduction provides a clear and up-to-date overview of all the major issues in the light of contemporary scholarly debate, and will be essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students of linguistics alike.
Reviews / Votes
"Altogether an excellent book, at once interesting and authoritative" The Year's Work in English StudiesMore details
Series
Edition
4th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
378 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-582-24994-3 (9780582249943)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

R.H. Robins
A Short History of Linguistics
Book
02/2015
4th Edition
Routledge
€241.80
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R.H. Robins
A Short History of Linguistics
E-Book
11/2013
4th Edition
Routledge
€78.99
Available for download

R.H. Robins
A Short History of Linguistics
E-Book
11/2013
4th Edition
Routledge
€78.99
Available for download
Previous edition
R. H. Robins
Short History of Linguistics
Book
11/1979
2nd Edition
Longman
€12.32
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
R.H. Robins
Content
Preface to previous editions
1. Introduction
2. Greece
3. Rome
4. The Middle Ages
5. The Renaissance and after
6. The eve of modern times
7. Comparative and historical linguistics in the nineteenth century
8. Linguistics in the twentieth-century: first period
9. Linguistics in the twentieth century: second period.
Index
1. Introduction
2. Greece
3. Rome
4. The Middle Ages
5. The Renaissance and after
6. The eve of modern times
7. Comparative and historical linguistics in the nineteenth century
8. Linguistics in the twentieth-century: first period
9. Linguistics in the twentieth century: second period.
Index