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On language change : the invisible hand in language

By: Material type: TextTextPublication details: London ; New York : Routledge, 1994.Description: xi, 182 p. : illustrationsISBN:
  • 0415076714
  • 9780415076715
  • 0415076722 (pbk.)
  • 9780415076722
  • 0203993284
  • 9780203993286
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 410 KEL
Online resources:
Contents:
pt. I. Exposition of the problem. -- 1. The problem of language change. -- 2. Historical reconstruction. -- 3. In the prison of dichotomies -- pt. II. Solution and discussion. -- 4. The working of the invisible hand -- 5. Discussion -- 6. Conclusion.
Summary: In the twentieth century, linguistics has been dominated by two paradigms - those of Saussure and Chomsky. In both these philosophies of linguistics, language change was left aside as an unsolvable mystery which challenged theoretical entirety. In On Language Change Rudi Keller reassesses language change and places it firmly back on the linguistics agenda. Based on the ideas of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century thinkers such as Mandeville, Smith and Menger, he demonstrates that language change can indeed be explained through the workings of an 'invisible hand'. Refreshingly jargon-free, Keller's account of language change is comprehensive and clear. Not only does he provide a new epistemology for the science of language change, he also brings new insights to bear on the history of linguistics.
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Holdings
Item type Current library Collection Call number Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Reference Books Reference Books Main Library Reference Reference 410 KEL (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available 008675
Total holds: 0

Included Index.

pt. I. Exposition of the problem. --
1. The problem of language change. --
2. Historical reconstruction. --
3. In the prison of dichotomies --
pt. II. Solution and discussion. --
4. The working of the invisible hand --
5. Discussion --
6. Conclusion.

In the twentieth century, linguistics has been dominated by two paradigms - those of Saussure and Chomsky. In both these philosophies of linguistics, language change was left aside as an unsolvable mystery which challenged theoretical entirety. In On Language Change Rudi Keller reassesses language change and places it firmly back on the linguistics agenda. Based on the ideas of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century thinkers such as Mandeville, Smith and Menger, he demonstrates that language change can indeed be explained through the workings of an 'invisible hand'. Refreshingly jargon-free, Keller's account of language change is comprehensive and clear. Not only does he provide a new epistemology for the science of language change, he also brings new insights to bear on the history of linguistics.

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