The second edition of the definitive reference on contact studies and
linguistic change--provides extensive new research and original case
studies
Language contact is a dynamic area of contemporary linguistic research
that studies how language changes when speakers of different languages
interact. Accessibly structured into three sections, The Handbook of
Language Contact explores the role of contact studies within the field
of linguistics, the value of contact studies for language change
research, and the relevance of language contact for sociolinguistics.
This authoritative volume presents original findings and fresh research
directions from an international team of prominent experts. Thirty-seven
specially-commissioned chapters cover a broad range of topics and case
studies of contact from around the world.
Now in its second edition, this valuable reference has been extensively
updated with new chapters on topics including globalization, language
acquisition, creolization, code-switching, and genetic classification.
Fresh case studies examine Romance, Indo-European, African, Mayan, and
many other languages in both the past and the present. Addressing the
major issues in the field of language contact studies, this volume:
- Includes a representative sample of individual studies which
re-evaluate the role of language contact in the broader context of
language and society
- Offers 23 new chapters written by leading scholars
- Examines language contact in different societies, including many in
Africa and Asia
- Provides a cross-section of case studies drawing on languages across
the world
The Handbook of Language Contact, Second Edition is an indispensable
resource for researchers, scholars, and students involved in language
contact, language variation and change, sociolinguistics, bilingualism,
and language theory.
