Trask's Historical Linguistics

Trask’s Historical Linguistics provides an accessible introduction to historical linguistics - the study of language change over time.This engaging book is illustrated with language examples from all six continents, and covers the fundamental concepts of language change, methods for historical linguistics, linguistic reconstruction, sociolinguistic aspects of language change, language contact, the birth and death of languages, language and prehistory, and the issue of very remote relations. The fourth edition of this renowned textbook is fully revised and updated and covers the most recent developments in historical linguistics, including:A thorough reworking of sections on morphological and syntactic change, incorporating progress in areas such as grammaticalization and the discussion of the Indo-European ‘homeland’Discussion and analysis of ‘folk’ historical linguistics and its connection with some of the more eccentric views of professional linguistsAn expanded discussion of languag