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This is a lucid and up-to-date overview of language change. It discusses where our evidence about language change comes from, how and why changes happen, and how languages begin and end. It considers both changes which occurred long ago, and those currently in progress. It does this within the framework of one central question - is language change a symptom of progress or decay? It concludes that language is neither progressing nor decaying, but that an understanding of the factors show more surrounding change is essential for anyone concerned about language alteration. For this substantially revised third edition, Jean Aitchison has included two new chapters on change of meaning and grammaticalization. Sections on new methods of reconstruction and ongoing chain shifts in Britain and America have also been added as well as over 150 new references. The work remains non-technical in style and accessible to readers with no previous knowledge of linguistics. show lessTags
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[Review by a non-professional with a strong interest in historical linguistics]. This is an illuminating survey of language change, looking at how languages change and whether or not this is the "bad thing" that so many believe it to be. It spends a lot of time looking at current examples of change (mostly in American and British English, but also in other languages) which I at least find far more interesting than the usual focus on past changes. As to why languages change, the author has no firm answers, but who does? This book helped me in my intellectual progress from a stance that says "good English is under attack" to one that says "language is a living thing". Many thanks to the author.
Interesting. Obviously aimed at undergraduates just beginning a study of linguistics. The blurb tells us that the chapters on change of meaning and grammaticalisation were added for this edition. They could definitely do with more examples, as could some other parts of the book (also the result of revisions rather than part of the original plan, perhaps).
linguistics
Aug 19, 2014Danish
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Author Information
Jean Aitchison is Emeritus Rupert Murdoch Professor of Language and Communication at the University of Oxford. She is the author of numerous books on language, including Language Change: Progress or Decay? (Third Edition, 2001), The Word Weavers: Newshounds and Wordsmiths (2007), Aitchison's Linguistics (Seventh Edition, 2010), and The Articulate show more Mammal (Routledge Classics Edition, 2011). show less
Series
Common Knowledge
Classifications
- Genres
- General Nonfiction, Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 417.7 — Language Linguistics Dialectology and historical linguistics Historical linguistics (Diachronic linguistics)
- LCC
- P142 .A37 — Language and Literature Philology. Linguistics Language. Linguistic theory. Comparative grammar Science of language (Linguistics)
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 252
- Popularity
- 127,981
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.68)
- Languages
- Chinese, English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 20
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 3
