Wow! eBook
The Dialect Laboratory: Dialects as a testing ground for theories of language change: 128
Author(s): Gunther De Vogelaer (Editor), Guido Seiler
- Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Co
- Publication Date: 29 Aug. 2012
- Language: English
- Print length: 304 pages
- ISBN-10: 9027205957
- ISBN-13: 9789027205957
Book Description
Much theorizing in language change research is made without taking into account dialect data. Yet, dialects seem to be superior data to build a theory of linguistic change on, since dialects are relatively free of standardization and therefore more tolerant of variant competition in grammar. In addition, as compared to most cross-linguistic and diachronic data, dialect data are unusually high in resolution. This book shows that the study of dialect variation has indeed the potential, perhaps even the duty, to play a central role in the process of finding answers to fundamental questions of theoretical historical linguistics. It includes contributions which relate a clearly formulated theoretical question of historical linguistic interest with a well-defined, solid empirical base. The volume discusses phenomena from different domains of grammar (phonology, morphology and syntax) and a wide variety of languages and language varieties in the light of several current theoretical frameworks.
