The Dictionary of Historical and Comparative Linguistics - Softcover

Lecturer In Linguistics R L Trask

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0748610014 ISBN 13: 9780748610013

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, 2000

Synopsis

Historical and comparative linguistics has been a major scholarly discipline for 200 years, and yet this is the first dictionary ever devoted to it. With nearly 2400 entries, this dictionary covers every aspect of the subject, from the most venerable work to the exciting advances of the last few years, many of which have not even made it into textbooks yet. All of the traditional terms are here, but so are the terms only introduced recently, in connection with such varied subjects as pidgin and creole languages, the sociolinguistic study of language change, mathematical and computational methods, the novel approaches to linguistic geography, the controversial proposals of new and vast language families, and the attempts at relating the results of the historical linguists to those of the archaeologists, the anthropologists and the geneticists. More than just a dictionary, this book provides genuine linguistic examples of most of the terms entered, detailed explanations of fundamental concepts, critical assessment of controversial ideas, cross-references to related terms, and an abundance of references to the original literature. Features: *The first dictionary in the field. *Comprehensive coverage. *Clearly written and accurate entries. *Covers traditional and contemporary terminology. *Provides linguistic examples of terms defined. *Supplies numerous cross-references to related terms. *Includes hundreds of references to the original literature.

About this title

About the Author

R. L. Trask is Professor of Linguistics in the School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences at the University of Sussex.

Review

As the author notes in the preface, 'Historical linguistics was the first branch of linguistics to be placed on a firm scholarly footing, around the beginning of the nineteenth century' yet this is the first dictionary specifically devoted to its terminology and is thus a welcome addition to the field. With nearly 2,400 entries, it provides thorough coverage of every aspect of historical linguistics, including Indo-European studies, language families, the sociolinguistic study of language change, and several others. Although dictionaries and encyclopedias of general linguistics have been rather numerous in the last period, this "Dictionary" limited to historical and comparative linguistics offers a lot that cannot be easily found elsewhere ! This is a very useful tool not only for beginners and advanced students but a good synthesis and reference book for professionals. At last, a dictionary of historical and comparative linguistics - the only one of its kind. It is a very extensive compilation and provides just the right amount of information in the individual entries, with clear and accurate definitions, historical and theoretical contexts, and appropriate references. The whole field and all who work in it are much the richer for having this reference work. -- Professor Lyle Campbell, Department of Linguistics, University of Canterbury, New Zealand In his Dictionary of Historical and Comparative Linguistics, Larry Trask surveys a range of language areas and sub-disciplines beyond the scope of most people working alone. Because of its breadth, it is an indispensable reference work for the majority of linguists, from the acolyte to the experienced practitioner. -- Professor Dorothy Disterheft, Linguistics Program, University of South Carolina As the author notes in the preface, 'Historical linguistics was the first branch of linguistics to be placed on a firm scholarly footing, around the beginning of the nineteenth century' yet this is the first dictionary specifically devoted to its terminology and is thus a welcome addition to the field. With nearly 2,400 entries, it provides thorough coverage of every aspect of historical linguistics, including Indo-European studies, language families, the sociolinguistic study of language change, and several others. Although dictionaries and encyclopedias of general linguistics have been rather numerous in the last period, this "Dictionary" limited to historical and comparative linguistics offers a lot that cannot be easily found elsewhere ! This is a very useful tool not only for beginners and advanced students but a good synthesis and reference book for professionals. At last, a dictionary of historical and comparative linguistics - the only one of its kind. It is a very extensive compilation and provides just the right amount of information in the individual entries, with clear and accurate definitions, historical and theoretical contexts, and appropriate references. The whole field and all who work in it are much the richer for having this reference work. In his Dictionary of Historical and Comparative Linguistics, Larry Trask surveys a range of language areas and sub-disciplines beyond the scope of most people working alone. Because of its breadth, it is an indispensable reference work for the majority of linguists, from the acolyte to the experienced practitioner.

Edition details

• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0748610014
• ISBN 13: 9780748610013
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English