Principien der Sprachgeschichte (1880) is Hermann Paul's best-known work. In this book, the German literary scholar and linguist argues that although language is a product of human culture and the study of language is therefore best categorised as history, language can most effectively be analysed with methods taken from the natural sciences. Paul develops a system of principles that draws heavily on cognitive and psychological elements in order to account for how language has developed. In 14 chapters he sets out a detailed account of the history of language that includes general observations on the development of language, the consequences of sound change, semantic shift and the divergence of etymologically connected words, and aspects of syntax. He also compares written and spoken language varieties, and the origins of dialects and standard languages.

The 25th edition of Hermann Paul's grammar is the first step toward a study grammar that combines the virtues of greater ease of use, concentration on essentials, and a more reliable description of Middle High German. The revised accounts of phonology and morphology have profited in part from the ongoing work on the extensive Middle High German grammar now in the process of completion. The description of noun declination has been thoroughly revised. The syntax section has been extensively reworked and greatly expanded, with a wealth of references to Middle High German prose texts.

The first volume to appear in the series "Altdeutsche Textbibliothek" in 1882 was Walther von der Vogelweide's "Poems," edited by Hermann Paul. This new edition will be published in two parts - Part 1: "Der Spruchdichter" (ATB 1) was published in February 1997; Part 2: "Der MinnesAnger" (ATB 110) will follow in due course. The revised edition reverts to the text as edited by Hermann Paul and last published in 1911 (in its 4th edition), as this gets closer to the text of the original than subsequent editions. The introduction, the notes on the editing of Walthers poems and the select bibliography have been brought up to date; the known melodies have been added.

Nach A1/4ber 100 Jahren seit dem Erscheinen gehArt Pauls Buch "Prinzipien der Sprachgeschichte" (1. Auflage 1880) nach wie vor zu den Standardwerken der Sprachwissenschaft.

Two years after the 150th anniversary of Hermann Paul's (1846-1921) birth and one year after the 100th anniversary of his famous dictionary (first published 1897), the editors assemble here for the first time a single-volume collection of his most important treatises and speeches, together with his still immensely apposite remarks on correct German spelling and pronunciation and a complete bibliography of his publications. In the "Introduction" and notes, the editors provide an overview of Paul's life and achievements, while the first chapter proper, titled "Biography," provides documentation culled from obituaries and correspondence.