Historical Linguistics and the Comparative Study of African Languages

Gerrit J. Dimmendaal | University of Cologne

Hardbound – Available

ISBN 9789027211781 | EUR 105.00 | USD 158.00

Paperback – Available

ISBN 9789027211798 | EUR 36.00 | USD 54.00

e-Book –

ISBN 9789027287229 | EUR 105.00/36.00*
| USD 158.00/54.00*

This advanced historical linguistics course book deals with the historical and comparative study of African languages. The first part functions as an elementary introduction to the comparative method, involving the establishment of lexical and grammatical cognates, the reconstruction of their historical development, techniques for the subclassification of related languages, and the use of language-internal evidence, more specifically the application of internal reconstruction. Part II addresses language contact phenomena and the status of language in a wider, cultural-historical and ecological context. Part III deals with the relationship between comparative linguistics and other disciplines. In this rich course book, the author presents valuable views on a number of issues in the comparative study of African languages, more specifically concerning genetic diversity on the African continent, the status of pidginised and creolised languages, language mixing, and grammaticalisation.

[Not in series, 161] 2011. xviii, 421 pp.

Publishing status: Available

https://doi.org/10.1075/z.161

Table of Contents

Part I. The comparative method

1. Explaining similarities | pp. 3–22

2. Explaining sound change | pp. 23–58

3. Classification and subclassification techniques | pp. 59–92

4. Morphosyntactic changes | pp. 93–114

5. Semantic change | pp. 115–140

6. Internal reconstruction | pp. 141–152

7. Language-internal variation | pp. 153–176

Part II. The linguistic manifestation of contact

8. Borrowing | pp. 179–212

9. Pidginisation and creolisation | pp. 213–236

10. Syncretic languages | pp. 237–252

11. Language contraction and language shift | pp. 253–264

12. Language contact phenomena and genetic classification | pp. 265–280

Part III. Studying language change in a wider contex

13. Language typology and reconstruction | pp. 283–306

14. Remote relationships and genetic diversity on the African continent | pp. 307–332

15. Language and history | pp. 333–346

16. Some ecological properties of language development | pp. 347–372

Appendix | pp. 407–408

Language and language family index | pp. 409–417

Subject index | pp. 419–421

“This study is an amazingly rich introduction to historical linguistics and African comparative linguistics. From the first chapter on, it has great depth, wonderful tables with sound correspondences, cognate sets, language classifications, and maps of material that is only rarely discussed in mainstream (historical) linguistics. At the same time, the book is very readable and accessible to students as well as an incredible resource for scholars. It is a delight to read!”

Elly van Gelderen, Arizona State University

“The history and the genealogical relationships of the languages of Africa are better and better understood, but it is high time that the overall picture is once again presented on the basis of the latest results. Gerrit Dimmendaal is eminently suited to guide the reader and student through the maze of facts and factoids concerning the complex history of the languages of the continent, in particular the processes of contact and mixture.”

Pieter Muysken, Radboud University Nijmegen

“For historical linguists with even a passing interest in Africa, or even a desire to see how historical linguistics applies outside of Indo-European, this is a recommended book.”

Michael Cahill, SIL, in Studies in Language 36(4): 907-914

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This list is based on CrossRef data as of 30 september 2024. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.

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