The changing languages of Europe / Bernd Heine & Tania Kuteva.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Heine, Bernd, 1939-

Contributor:

Kuteva, Tania, 1958-

Series:

Oxford linguistics.

Oxford linguistics

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Areal linguistics.

Linguistic change.

Typology (Linguistics).

Europe--Languages.

Europe.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (375 p.)

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2006.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book shows that the languages and dialects of Europe are becoming increasingly alike and furthermore that this unifying process goes back to Roman times, is accelerating, and affects every European language including those of different families such as Basque and Finnish. The unifying process involves every grammatical aspect of the languages and operates through changes so minute that native speakers fail to notice them. The authors reveal when, how, and why common grammatical structures have evolved and continue to evolve in processes of change that will transform the linguistic landsca

Contents:

Contents; Foreword; List of Tables; List of Maps; List of Figures; Abbreviations; 1 Europe as a Linguistic Area; 1.1 Europe's linguistic diversity; 1.2 Major themes of research; 1.2.1 Delimiting Europe as a linguistic area; 1.2.2 Searching for Europe's centre; 1.2.3 The search for 'Euroversals'; 1.2.4 The motivating forces of areal relationship; 1.2.5 Areal groupings within Europe; 1.2.6 On mapping; 1.2.7 Haspelmath (2001); 1.3 Discussion; 1.4 A case study: from perfect to past time reference; 1.4.1 The areal dimension; 1.4.2 Historical evidence; 1.4.3 Discussion; 1.5 Theoretical background

1.6 Conclusions2 Grammatical Replication; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 Grammatical use patterns; 2.2.1 From minor to major use pattern; 2.2.2 The role of use patterns in language contact; 2.2.3 Use patterns and code-switching; 2.3 Grammaticalization and grammatical replication; 2.3.1 Extension; 2.3.2 Desemanticization; 2.3.3 Decategorialization; 2.3.4 Erosion; 2.3.5 Replica vs. ordinary grammaticalization; 2.3.6 Conclusions; 2.4 Restructuring vs. contact-induced grammaticalization; 2.5 On the nature of replication; 2.6 Internal vs. external change; 2.7 A case study; 2.7.1 'Threaten' constructions

2.7.2 Discussion2.8 Conclusions; 3 The Rise of Articles; 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Evolution; 3.2.1 Definite articles; 3.2.2 Indefinite articles; 3.3 Contact-induced grammaticalization of articles; 3.3.1 Introduction; 3.3.2 Definite articles; 3.3.3 Indefinite articles; 3.4 The areal dimension: Continental Scandinavian; 3.5 Conclusions; 4 The Rise of Possessive Perfects; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 Dynamic typology; 4.2.1 Morphosyntax; 4.2.2 Meaning; 4.2.3 Conclusion; 4.3 Notes on history; 4.3.1 Hypotheses; 4.3.2 Latin and later; 4.4 The periphery; 4.4.1 Slavic languages; 4.4.2 Celtic languages

4.4.3 Irish English (Hiberno-English)4.4.4 German in the USA and Australia; 4.4.5 Other peripheral languages; 4.5 Conclusions; 5 From Comitative to Instrumental Forms; 5.1 Typology; 5.2 Notes on history; 5.3 Peripheral languages; 5.4 The growth of polysemy; 5.5 Evidence for directionality; 5.6 Evidence for contact; 5.7 Conclusions; 6 From Question to Subordination; 6.1 The rise of complement, adverbial, and relative clauses; 6.2 A four-stage scenario of grammaticalization; 6.2.1 A survey; 6.2.2 A grammaticalization area on the Balkans; 6.3 Notes on history; 6.4 Discussion

6.4.1 Evidence for directionality6.4.2 Evidence for contact; 6.4.3 On the transition from interrogative to subordination marking; 6.5 Case marking: the rise of standard markers in equative and similative constructions; 6.5.1 On the conceptual source of the standard marker; 6.5.2 Areal patterning; 6.6 Conclusions; 7 Europe's Periphery; 7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Towards a European typological profile; 7.2.1 Basque; 7.2.2 Slavic minorities in central Europe; 7.2.3 Pipil; 7.2.4 Discussion; 7.3 Towards a non-European typological profile; 7.3.1 Introduction; 7.3.2 Singlish

7.3.3 Nigerian Pidgin English

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [291]-323) and index.

Description based on print version record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

0-19-929734-7

1-4356-2367-3

9786611155186

0-19-153811-6

1-281-15518-7

OCLC:

560550166