Description
Book SynopsisThis book describes the earliest reconstructable stages of the prehistory of English, focusing specifically on linguistic structure. It outlines the grammar of Proto-Indo-European, considers the changes by which one dialect of that prehistoric language developed into Proto-Germanic, and provides a detailed account of the grammar of Proto-Germanic. In the course of his exposition Don Ringe draws on a long tradition of work on many languages, including Hittite, Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, Slavic, Gothic, and Old Norse. This second edition has been significantly revised to provide a more in-depth account of Proto-Indo-European, with further exploration of disputed points; it has also been updated to include new developments in the field, particularly in the reconstruction of the Proto-Indo-European verb and nominal inflection. The author also reconsiders some of his original approaches to specific linguistic changes and their relative chronology based on his recent research. This new edition
Trade ReviewReview from previous edition This is without any doubt a major work in the field of Indo-European linguistics and will be of utmost relevance in English linguistics. We have a large number of Histories of the English Language, but in none of them is the pre-history of English dealt with in comparable depth. * Professor Alfred Bammesberger, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt *
A highly welcome and useful book for scholars and advanced students of comparative Indo-European and Germanic linguistics and the history of English. * David Stifter, Linguist List *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments List of abbreviations Note on transcription 1: Introduction 2: Proto-Indo-European 3: The development of Proto-Germanic 4: Proto-Germanic References Index
