How and why do languages change? Where does the evidence of language change come from? How do languages begin and end? This introduction to language change explores these and other questions, considering changes through time. The central theme of this book is whether language change is a symptom of progress or decay. This book will show you why it is neither, and that understanding the factors surrounding how language change occurs is essential to understanding why it happens. This updated editi...
Is it true that language can be spoilt? What is the reason: slovenliness or children's mistake? Neither the one nor the other, says J. Aitchison. But we are aware of evolving and extinction of languages. How to reconcile these facts the book will try to answer.