This book develops the general principles of linguistic change that form the foundations of historical linguistics, dialectology and sociolinguistics.
Demonstrates the social as well as cognitive relevance of linguistic research
Shows that rapid linguistic change is in progress in the cities of America and England so that urban dialects are becoming more and more differentiated
Discusses factors that govern the internal development of linguistic structures: the mechanisms of change, the constraints on change, and the ways in which change is embedded in the larger linguistic system
About the Author
William Labov is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Pennsylvania.
Features
demonstrates the social as well as cognitive relevance of linguistic research
develops the general principles of linguistic change that form the foundations of historical linguistics, dialectology and sociolinguistics
shows that rapid linguistic change is in progress in the cities of America and England so that urban dialects are becoming more and more differentiated
discusses factors that govern the internal development of linguistic structures: the mechanisms of change, the constraints on change, and the ways in which change is embedded in the larger linguistic system
