Crossing Linguistic Boundaries: Systemic, Synchronic and Diachronic Variation in English

Description

Breaking away from previously rigid descriptions of the linguistic system of the English language, Crossing Linguistic Boundaries explores fascinating case studies which refuse to fall neatly within the traditional definitions of linguistic domains and boundaries. Bringing together leading international scholars in English linguistics, this volume focusses on these controversies in relation to seeking to overcome the temporal and geographical limits of the English language. Approaching tensions in the areas of English phonology and phonetics, pragmatics, semantics, morphology and syntax, chapters discuss not only British and American English but also a wide variety of geographical variants. Containing synchronic and diachronic studies covering different periods in the history of English, Crossing Linguistic Boundaries will appeal to anyone interested in linguistic variation in English.

Paloma Nunez-Pertejo is an Associate Professor in English at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Maria Jose Lopez-Couso is an Associate Professor in English at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Belen Mendez-Naya is an Associate Professor in English at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Javier Perez-Guerra is a Full Professor in English at the University of Vigo, Spain.

The contributions in this innovative volume by leading scholars in English Linguistics explore the fascinating 'tensions' that occur at the boundaries of the traditional linguistic domains of syntax, morphology, semantics/pragmatics and phonetics/phonology from diachronic, synchronic and cross-varietal perspectives. Highly recommended. * Bas Aarts, Professor of English Linguistics, University College London, UK * How to account for uh and um in written English or the structural impact of Discourse Traditions over time? In this engaging volume, leading experts address the huge variability of English by discussing existing, emerging and co-evolving features of the language and show how understanding them requires insights from different linguistic disciplines. * Terttu Nevalainen, professor and research director, University of Helsinki, Finland. *