The Ecology of Language Evolution
by Salikoko S. Mufwene (Contribution by), Robert Chaudenson (Contribution by), Braj Kachru (Contribution by), Lesley Milroy (Contribution by), Shana Poplack (Contribution by), Michael Silverstein (Contribution by)
ISBN-10: 0521794757
ISBN-13: 9780521794756
$46.99
Book Specs
Binding
Trade Paper
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Published on
Aug 30, 2001
Edition
1st Edition
Dimensions
6.00x0.69x9.00 Inches
Weight
1.21 Pounds
About the Book
This major 2001 work explores the development of creoles and other new languages, focusing on the conceptual and methodological issues they raise for genetic linguistics. Written by an internationally renowned linguist, the book discusses the nature and significance of internal and external factors or 'ecologies' that bear on the evolution of a language. The book surveys a wide range of examples of changes in the structure, function and vitality of languages, and suggests that similar ecologies have played the same kinds of roles in all cases of language evolution. Drawing on major theories of language formation, macroecology and population genetics, Mufwene proposes a common approach to the development of creoles and other new languages. The Ecology of Language Evolution will be welcomed by students and researchers in sociolinguistics, creolistics, theoretical linguistics and theories of evolution.