This book addresses the question: why do sound changes happen, when
and where they do? Jeremy Smith discusses the origins of a series
of sound changes in English. He relates his arguments to larger
questions about the nature of explanation in history and historical
linguistics, and examines the interplay between sound change and
social change. Drawing on the latest research in linguistics and
history he shows how insights in one field illuminate the other.
After the opening chapter describing the book's approach and a
general theoretical framework for the study of sound-change, the
author discusses problems of evidence and considers the nature of
phonological processes. He then presents detailed investigations of
major sound-changes from three transitional periods: first, when
English emerged as a language distinct from the other West Germanic
varieties; secondly, during the transition from Old to Middle
English; and thirdly during the time when Middle English evolved
into Early Modern English.
The book is written with minimal use of jargon and offers clear
definitions of complex notions. It will appeal to all serious
students of English historical linguistics, from advanced
undergraduate to researcher.
General
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