Principles of Historical Linguistics

Exploring the complexities of historical linguistics, the book delves into various chronological layers that shape the field, from foundational neogrammarian concepts to contemporary theories on language change. It emphasizes the importance of understanding sound change, analogy, and the impact of language contact. A significant revision of previous editions, it introduces new chapters on morphological and lexical change and includes in-depth discussions on linguistic palaeontology and the ideological implications of historical linguistic findings.