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Published 2007.
From linguistic areas to areal linguistics explores language description and typology in terms of areal background, presenting case studies in areal
linguistics. Some ...
Published 2007.
From linguistic areas to areal linguistics explores language description and typology in terms of areal background, presenting case studies in areal
linguistics. Some concern well-established linguistic areas such as the Balkan, other regions such as East Nusantara (Indonesia) and the Guapore-Mamore
(Amazon) regions have never before been studied in an areal perspective, and yet other areas that are involved in current debates. The insight has gained
ground that languages owe many of their characteristics to the languages they are in contact with over time. Yet the nature of these areal influences
remains a matter of debate. Furthermore, areas are often hard to define. Hence the title: a shift from linguistic areas as concrete and circumscribed
objects to a new way of doing linguistics: areally.
New findings include the observation that there may be many more language areas than previously recognized. The book is primarily directed at linguists
working in descriptive, comparative, historical and typological linguistics. Since it covers linguistic areas from four continents, and will have a wide
appeal.
