Historical Linguistics and the Comparative Study of African Languages
Author
Gerrit J. Dimmendaal | University of Cologne
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
© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Table of Contents
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Preface | pp. ix–xi
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Figures | p. xiii
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Maps | p. xv
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Tables | p. xvii
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Part I. The comparative method
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1. Explaining similarities | pp. 3–22
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2. Explaining sound change | pp. 23–58
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3. Classification and subclassification techniques | pp. 59–92
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4. Morphosyntactic changes | pp. 93–114
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5. Semantic change | pp. 115–140
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6. Internal reconstruction | pp. 141–152
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7. Language-internal variation | pp. 153–176
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Part II. The linguistic manifestation of contact
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8. Borrowing | pp. 179–212
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9. Pidginisation and creolisation | pp. 213–236
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10. Syncretic languages | pp. 237–252
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11. Language contraction and language shift | pp. 253–264
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12. Language contact phenomena and genetic classification | pp. 265–280
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Part III. Studying language change in a wider contex
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13. Language typology and reconstruction | pp. 283–306
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14. Remote relationships and genetic diversity on the African continent | pp. 307–332
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15. Language and history | pp. 333–346
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16. Some ecological properties of language development | pp. 347–372
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Appendix | pp. 407–408
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Language and language family index | pp. 409–417
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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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Subjects & Metadata
Linguistics
BIC Subject: CFF – Historical & comparative linguistics
BISAC Subject: LAN009000 – LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General