Language Change: Contributions to the Study of its Causes

Front Cover
Leiv E. Breivik, Ernst H. Jahr
Walter de Gruyter, Jun 1, 2011 - Language Arts & Disciplines - 281 pages

TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS is a series of books that open new perspectives in our understanding of language. The series publishes state-of-the-art work on core areas of linguistics across theoretical frameworks as well as studies that provide new insights by building bridges to neighbouring fields such as neuroscience and cognitive science.

TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS considers itself a forum for cutting-edge research based on solid empirical data on language in its various manifestations, including sign languages. It regards linguistic variation in its synchronic and diachronic dimensions as well as in its social contexts as important sources of insight for a better understanding of the design of linguistic systems and the ecology and evolution of language.

TRENDS IN LINGUISTICS publishes monographs and outstanding dissertations as well as edited volumes, which provide the opportunity to address controversial topics from different empirical and theoretical viewpoints. High quality standards are ensured through anonymous reviewing.

 

Contents

Introduction
1
Understanding linguistic innovations
5
On the causes of syntactic change in English
29
Pragmatics and syntactic change
71
Language planning and language change
99
The origin and function of switch reference in Green Hmong
115
Invisiblehand processes and the universal laws of language change
131
On the causes of accelerated linguistic change in the Pacific area
137
Sound change is drawn from a pool of synchronic variation
173
The role of children in linguistic change
199
Contact and isolation in linguistic change
227
innerlinguistic andor contact causes of language change
239
Index
277
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