Historical Linguistics

Part of the "Longman Linguistics Library" series, this text examines the extent to which synchronic theoretical models have been found useful or wanting as accounts of temporal language mutation and progress in the production of general models which provide explanations for language change itself. The contributors to this volume cover the international range of scholarship in the field of Historical Linguistics, as well as some of its major themes. The work and ideas they discuss are relevant not only to other aspects of Historical Linguistics but also to more general developments in linguistic theory. Along with Professor Jones' Introduction, their comments provide a major overview of Historical Linguistics that will be the reference point for its development for many years to come and form an important contribution to general theories of linguistic behaviour.