An Introduction to the Indo-European Languages - Softcover

Baldi, Philip

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0809310910 ISBN 13: 9780809310913

Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press, 1983

Synopsis

This comprehensive linguistic survey of the Indo-European groups synthesizes the vast amount of information contained in the spe­cialized handbooks of the individual stocks.

The text begins with an introduction to the concept of the Indo-European language family, the history of its discovery, and the techniques of analysis. The introduction also gives a structural sketch of Proto-Indo-European, the parent language from which the others are descended. Baldi then devotes a chapter to each of the 11 major branches of Indo-European (Italic, Celtic, Indo-Iranian, Greek, Armenian, Albanian, Baltic, Slavic, Germanic, Tocharian, and Anatolian).

Each chapter provides an outline of the external history of the branch, its people, di­alects, and other relevant history. This out­line is followed by a structural sketch of the most important language or languages of the branch (e.g., Old Irish for Celtic, Sanskrit and Avestan for Indo-Iranian, Latin and Osco-Umbrian for Italic). The sketch also contains the phonology, morphology, and syntax of each language. There is lastly a sample text of each language containing both interlinear and free translation. In those branches where there are special issues (e.g., the relation of Italic to Celtic and Baltic to Slavic, or the problem of archaism in Hittite), additional discussions of these issues are pro­vided. Baldi’s final chapter gives a brief out­line of the “minor” Indo-European lan­guages such as Illyrian, Thracian, Raetic, and Phrygian. Adding further to the usefulness of the book are extensive bibliographies, an up-to-date map showing the geographical dis­tribution of the Indo-European languages throughout the world, and a detailed family tree diagram of the members of each sub­group within the Indo-European language family and their interrelationships.

About this title

About the Author

Philip Baldi is Professor of Linguistics and Classics and Director of the Linguistics Pro­gram at Pennsylvania State University. He is co-editor of Readings in Historical Phonology and is on the editorial advisory board of Communications Quarterly.

From the Back Cover

Intended for use in general courses on Indo-European languages and linguistics, this comprehensive assessment of Indo-European groups fills the long-standing need for synthesizing the vast amount of information available in specialized handbooks of the individual stocks.

Edition details

• Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
• Publication date: 1983
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0809310910
• ISBN 13: 9780809310913
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240