Includes bibliographical references (p. [410]-422) and index.

The fact of language change; lexical and semantic change; phonological change - change in pronunciation; phonological change - change in phonological systems; morphological change; syntactic change; relatedness between languages; the comparative method and reconstruction; internal reconstruction; the origin and propagation of change; contact and the birth and death of languages; language and prehistory; very remote relations.

An introduction to historical linguistics designed for students with no background in the subject. The book introduces all major types of change, consequences of change, and methods in historical linguistics. A range of exercises is included at the end of each chapter.