Linguistic Evolution: With Special Reference to EnglishProfessor Samuels presents a comprehensive explanation of the reasons for linguistic change, applying his theory in particular to the history of English. He assesses and mediates between the conflicting dogmas of different schools of linguistics, and offers an alternative theory of linguistic change which is basically simple but has the scope to cover any type of change. |
Contents
Variation in the spoken chain | 9 |
the phoneme | 28 |
variation | 49 |
systemic regulation | 64 |
Diversity and contact 888 | 88 |
An assessment of the problem | 135 |
Dimensions of study | 154 |
Conclusions | 177 |
187 | |
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Common terms and phrases
allophones ambiguity arise chapter circular shift clash common complementary distribution conditioned consonants contexts Danelaw dialect dialect continuum diphthongs distribution drag-chain evidence example existing extension extralinguistic factors Firstly French fricatives functional further Germanic Germanic languages gradual grammar and lexis grammatical gender homonymy hypercorrection idiolect inflections influence intrasystemic isogloss isolative change later lexical linguistic change loanwords London loss marked forms meaning merger Middle English Midlands minor system neogrammarian normal noun occur origin parallel pattern period periphrasis phonaesthetic phoneme phonemicisation phonetic change phonology polysemy possible preference pressures prestige dialects preterite probably pronunciation push-chain reasons reflex regarded relevant replacement result selection semantic shift sixteenth century social sound-change speakers spoken chain spread stages stress subsystems suggests suprasegmental survival systemic regulation take place texts tion unstressed variants verbs Vowel Shift vowels whereas words written language