ABSTRACT

In the twentieth century paradigms of linguistics have largely left language change to one side. Rudi Keller's book is an exciting contribution to linguistic philosophy becuase it puts language change back on the linguistics agenda and demonstrates that, far from being a remote mystery, it can and should be explained.

part |1 pages

Part I Exposition of the problem

chapter 1|16 pages

The problem of language change

chapter 2|20 pages

Historical reconstruction

chapter 3|19 pages

In the prison of dichotomies

part |1 pages

Part II Solution and discussion

chapter 4|46 pages

The working of the invisible hand

chapter 5|32 pages

Discussion

chapter 6|19 pages

Conclusion