How and why do changes happen when and where they do? Is it possible to explain changes that occurred centuries ago? These are the central questions addressed in this book, in which the author argues that the development of numerous features of medieval (and modern) Spanish can best be explained as the results of koineization, a process in which mixing among speakers of different dialects leads to the rapid formation of a new mixed and generally simplified variety. The book includes a complete introduction to koineization and detailed study of three stages of dialect mixing in medieval Spanish.

* Easy-to-follow organization, with gradual development from easier to more difficult topics in Spanish phonetics and clear explanations of linguistic terms. * A wealth of examples and accompanying audio reinforce understanding of linguistic points and illustrate the social and linguistic variation of Spanish. * A rich array of exercises and activities are included, with a full answer key provided online for self-study.

* Easy-to-follow organization, with gradual development from easier to more difficult topics in Spanish phonetics and clear explanations of linguistic terms. * A wealth of examples and accompanying audio reinforce understanding of linguistic points and illustrate the social and linguistic variation of Spanish. * A rich array of exercises and activities are included, with a full answer key provided online for self-study.