ABSTRACT

In Language Change , R. L. Trask uses data from English and other languages to introduce the concepts central to language change.

Language Change:

  • covers the most frequent types of language change and how languages are born and die
  • uses data-based exercises to show how languages change
  • looks at other key areas such as attitudes to language change, and the consequences of changing language.

chapter 1|5 pages

Language is always Changing

chapter 2|5 pages

English in the Past

chapter 3|7 pages

Borrowing Words

chapter 4|6 pages

Creating Words

chapter 5|6 pages

Change in Pronunciation

chapter 6|5 pages

Change in Spelling

chapter 7|5 pages

Change in Grammar

chapter 8|5 pages

Change in Meaning

chapter 9|5 pages

The Origin of Dialects

chapter 10|7 pages

Relatedness Between Languages

chapter 11|6 pages

More Remote Relations

chapter 12|8 pages

The Birth and Death of Languages

chapter 13|6 pages

Attitudes Towards Language Change

chapter 14|3 pages

Putting it all Together