Historical Linguistics Research Articles

Ordinary letters, extraordinary findings

Abstract This project proposes an innovative approach to the history of French by replacing the ‘tunnel vision’ (Watts/Trudgill 2002) which characterizes the vast majority of studies of ‘Classical French’ by a wider approach, based on an extraordinarily valuable source, i.e. the ‘Prize Papers’. The Prize Papers are a collection which includes 50,000 undelivered private French letters, confiscated between 1652 and 1815 during the frequent military conflicts between France and England. The documents are held by the National Archives of the United Kingdom in London, and are remnants of the privateering era, a longstanding legitimate activity of capturing enemy ships. These countless captured letters are becoming known to historians, who have recognized them as an invaluable source of information on the period in question, but have so far attracted little attention from linguists, even those focusing on diachrony. The MACINTOSH project is the first French initiative to explore this collection, and aims to show how the alternative data provided by these private documents can broaden the scope and fill the gaps left by traditional historical linguistics. The research focuses on the first French colonial era, shedding new light on the dynamics and mechanisms that led to the French and Creole varieties existing in America and the Indian Ocean.

Frequency Conditions in the Description of Historical Phonological Dialectal Differences

Abstract The primary and direct source material for describing phonological dialectal differences is represented by linguistic data found in charters. The source value of the data in particular charters for historical linguistics, however, may vary greatly. This is especially true for the earliest attested era, the early Old Hungarian period, which lasted from 895 to 1350. My study deals with the usability of linguistic records of the early Old Hungarian period. In this period the data found in charters are mainly proper names: place names and personal names, accordingly my examples are also of this category.

A formal approach to reanalysis and the Early Semantic Stability Hypothesis: exploring the test case of the negative counterfactual marker ʾilmale in Hebrew and Aramaic

Abstract This study delves into the intricate process of reanalysis, wherein linguistic expressions undergo grammatical or semantic changes, or sometimes both. The primary objective of this study is to explore the theoretical aspects surrounding historical changes of this nature. To facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the topic, we provide a formal description of reanalysis as an analytical tool. Our formal description allows for the differentiation of various change scenarios, enabling us to identify distinct types of shifts from one analysis to another. This approach not only focuses on what has been reanalyzed, be it the morphology, syntax, or the semantics, but also emphasizes the interplay between all three linguistic modules (Form, Grammar, and Meaning) and their relationships. This holistic perspective enables a systematic examination of the significance of what remains constant at both points in time during the reanalysis process. The key insight arising from this analysis leads us to propose and substantiate the Early Semantic Stability Hypothesis. This hypothesis posits that the truth-conditional semantics of the original proposition remain unchanged throughout reanalysis, either in all contexts or in specific “bridging contexts” where the reanalysis occurs. To demonstrate these phenomena, we present a compelling test case, focusing on the development of the counterfactual conditional marker ʾilmale in Hebrew and Aramaic. Through a detailed examination of the syntactic and semantic reanalyses it underwent, we observe the emergence of unique semantic features. By adopting a formal semantic perspective, we address fundamental questions such as the level of ambiguity required for reanalysis to take place, the potential existence of universal constraints on reanalysis, and potential motivations driving these linguistic changes. This investigation provides valuable insights into the intricate mechanisms at play during reanalysis and contributes to the broader understanding of linguistic evolution and development.

Jonathan Owens, Arabic and the Case against Linearity in Historical Linguistics

Jonathan Owens, <i>Arabic and the Case against Linearity in Historical Linguistics</i>

Interwoven processes in linguistic historiography

Summary This article presents an integrated perspective on the history of Chinese linguistics in Europe by examining the interplay of logistic, material, and institutional factors. Asking how knowledge related to the Chinese language was obtained, diffused, and preserved, it examines linguistic historiography through the prism of accessibility to China and its resulting corollaries for formulating and testing hypotheses about the Chinese language. The nineteenth century is seen as a time of professionalisation characterized by increased opportunities for engagement with China and its language, the creation of academic positions and teaching programs, technical advances in digraphic printing, and the return of competent speakers of the Chinese language.

Thoughts on the Etyma for ‘Corpse’ in Gyalrongic Languages*

AbstractThis paper studies the four distinct native terms for ‘corpse’ attested in Gyalrongic languages. Through comparative analysis, it establishes the sound correspondences among cognates and proposes preliminary reconstructions. In a second step, it hypothesises on the origins of the etyma by examining potential cognates in other Sino‐Tibetan languages. Two shared innovations can be found in the etyma for ‘corpse’. First, the Situ form *m‐g[á]m is an innovated compound meaning ‘a person that is killed’; and second, the etymon *rə̆.quʶ is a shared innovation of Horpa and Tangut. By analysing the etymologies above, this paper aims to enhance our understanding of sound correspondences and changes within the Sino‐Tibetan language family. Furthermore, it seeks to demonstrate the crucial role that etymological studies play in historical linguistics and language subgrouping. Despite their importance, such studies have not yet received sufficient attention from scholars specialising in Sino‐Tibetan languages.

Global language geography and language history: challenges and opportunities

As the several thousand languages spoken by people all around the world became more and more systematically assessed and catalogued in the 20th century, it became clear that linguistic diversity is unevently distributed across the globe. Up to the present day, the reasons for that are poorly understood. Linguists are thus in the embarassing situation that they do not understand significant regularities in the way the objects of their study –languages– pattern; human sciences at large are faced with the fact that the way humans produce that key cultural product which is often seen as defining the essence of what makes them humans –language–remains in the dark. In this essay, I explore three interrelated strands of thought associated with the problem of explaining patterns in global language diversity to create a perspective that is different from those explored so far. First, I suggest that instead of looking at present-day levels of diversity and find parameters of variation between the regions in which they are spoken, we should take a process-based approach that looks into how these distributions were generated. Related to this point and in contradistinction to extant work, second, I advocate an inductive approach that departs from qualitative case studies which inform theory-building. Third, I ponder that, in contrast to the traditional focus of historical linguistics on language diversification and expansion, understanding how the ranges of languages are reduced might be the key missing piece of evidence in a global theory of language diversity and its genesis.

Language Change and Languages in Contact

The hypothesis of the history of linguistics as a succession of paradigms was more appropriate to linguistic facts and to the continuity of history itself than to a substitution of models. One of the most assiduously maintained principles in historical linguistics was the theory of the regularity of linguistic change. However, both the history of languages in contact and linguistic change were part of acculturation, based on social and cultural diffusion, which implied the intrinsic relationship between linguistics, sociology and anthropology. It was not, therefore, a mere linguistic issue, but also a social and cultural one. In this sense, we had to differentiate two interpretations: 1) an autonomous version of the assumption of phonological regularity, and 2) a grammatical version of linguistic change. Within the anthropological history of Hispanic romances there was a linguistic and cultural continuity, based on the successive and diverse historical acculturations (Indo-European, Iberian, Phoenician-Greek, Roman, Christian, Germanic, Visigothic, Byzantine, Islamic, Castilian, Catalan-Aragonese, Hispanic and Anglo-Saxon), with the linguistic and cultural transfers that implied the social and cultural mixing of these groups, and the adaptation to a new sociocultural context. During the second half of the last century, great contributions to historical linguistics were accumulated, which were far from being recognized by historians of the language

Language Change And Languages In Contact

The hypothesis of the history of linguistics as a succession of paradigms was more appropriate to linguistic facts and to the continuity of history itself than to a substitution of models. One of the most assiduously maintained principles in historical linguistics was the theory of the regularity of linguistic change. However, both the history of languages in contact and linguistic change were part of acculturation, based on social and cultural diffusion, which implied the intrinsic relationship between linguistics, sociology and anthropology. It was not, therefore, a mere linguistic issue, but also a social and cultural one. In this sense, we had to differentiate two interpretations: 1) an autonomous version of the assumption of phonological regularity, and 2) a grammatical version of linguistic change. Within the anthropological history of Hispanic romances there was a linguistic and cultural continuity, based on the successive and diverse historical acculturations (Indo-European, Iberian, Phoenician-Greek, Roman, Christian, Germanic, Visigothic, Byzantine, Islamic, Castilian, Catalan-Aragonese, Hispanic and AngloSaxon), with the linguistic and cultural transfers that implied the social and cultural mixing of these groups, and the adaptation to a new sociocultural context. During the second half of the last century, great contributions to historical linguistics were accumulated, which were far from being recognized by historians of the language.

From the history of the lexeme ticket in Russian: from a word to a precedent phenomenon (on the material of F. M. Dostoevsky’s works)

This article considers the lexeme ticket as a representative example of those words that outlasted the golden age of semantic and cultural-historical evolution in the Russian language. We analyse possible extralinguistic and intralinguistic reasons for extending the lexical combinability and semantic spectrum of the lexeme ticket in the second half of the 19th century. These causes determined the gradual increase in the mental significance of the word, as well as the origins of its loss of conceptual significance in the period after 1917. The fact that the word ticket could have the status of a concept in the Russian language of the second half of the 19th century can be proved based on F. M. Dostoevsky’s texts. His works not only show the ample lexical combinability of the analysed lexeme, but also provide examples of its metaphorical use. The research employed the historical, descriptive, and comparative methods in conjunction with semantic and componential analysis. The paper concludes that the number of meanings and meaning shades of the word ticket increased considerably in the second half of the 19th century. Thus, its lexical combinability extended, and the lexeme reached the semantic evolution peak. As a result, any piece of paper with any text was actually called a ticket. The general linguistic significance of the word gradually developed into a conceptual one, which was reflected in F. M. Dostoevsky’s writings. His texts contain the best examples of the philosophical and metaphorical use of the lexeme. For instance, the image of a ticket returned to God in the novel "The Brothers Karamazov" became a precedent phenomenon in the works of Russian philosophers and writers.

The historical linguistics of signed languages

The historical linguistics of signed languages

USAGE OF NEOLOGISMS IN MEDIA DISCOURSE

It is natural for new concepts and terms to evolve and be adopted over time. Neologisms are used in communication as a result of societal evolution, the introduction of new concepts, and the emergence of new terms in the language. Words such as airplane, pilot, television, market, atom, which were regarded neologisms 100 years ago, as well as society, science, and technology, are no longer considered neologisms due to linguistic evolution. Neologisms, due to their widespread use, they appear to be extensively and easily accepted in social networking sites throughout the world (Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, etc). These social networking sites have had a huge influence on everyone today since they enhance and speed up communication, nurture connections, and promote commercial initiatives. This article discusses neologisms generated by various morphological processes are overused in media discourse.

Linguistic borrowings in trade terminologies: an analysis of ancient Indian and Egyptian languages from 3300 BCE to 500 CE

The research delves into the intricate web of linguistic borrowings in trade terminologies between Ancient Indian languages (Sanskrit, Prakrit) and Egyptian languages (Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs, Demotic script) spanning from approximately 3300 BCE to 500 CE. Through a meticulous analysis of selected literary texts and inscriptions, including the Hathigumpha Inscription, Rudradaman I Inscription, Junagadh Rock Inscriptions, Nasik Cave Inscriptions, Rosetta Stone, Satirical Papyrus, and Turin Taxation Papyrus, the study unravels the linguistic evolution and cultural exchanges embedded within ancient trade networks. Contextualizing these linguistic borrowings within the historical framework of trade routes, maritime activities, and economic exchanges, the research sheds light on the nuances of communication and adaptation in commercial interactions. By employing rigorous research methodologies and comparative studies, the findings offer a comprehensive understanding of how language served as a bridge for commerce, diplomacy, and cultural exchange between these ancient civilizations. This study not only contributes to the fields of linguistic history and ancient trade studies but also offers valuable insights into the dynamic interplay of language, trade, and cultural connectivity in the ancient world.

Ecuadorian Quechua and Quechuan classification

Abstract According to the traditional Quechuan classification which has dominated Andean historical linguistics since the 1960s, the Ecuadorian Quechua group (Andean Quichua, Amazonian Quichua, Colombian Ingano, and lower Pastaza Inga in Peru) belongs to the “Quechua II” branch, supposedly including all northern and southern Quechuas, and to the “Quechua IIB” sub-branch, said to also include the Chachapoyas-Lamas Quechua group and the “coastal” Quechua documented by Domingo de Santo Tomás in the mid-16th century. This study evaluates the traditional classification of Ecuadorian Quechua and shows that it does not meet the basic standards of subgrouping based on shared innovations. Special attention is given to the historical status of contrastive complex stops, traditionally claimed to be an Aymara-influenced innovation in Cuzco Quechua, supposedly transferred to Ecuadorian Quechua through “superstrate” influence; instead, it is demonstrated that these sounds have correspondences across the Quechuan family, confirming them as retentions that are uninformative for classification. The study goes on to individually evaluate all proposed criteria for the traditional classification of Ecuadorian Quechua, finding that none hold up as shared innovations, leading to the conclusion that Ecuadorian Quechua is an independent branch of the Quechuan family. Historical records document how this branch originated in Ecuador when Quechua was first introduced by the Incas, then was adopted by the Spanish as a colonial standard, and then became fragmented into four modern languages, all within a period of about 500–600 years.

Grouping sounds into evolving units for the purpose of historical language comparison

Computer-assisted approaches to historical language comparison have made great progress during the past two decades. Scholars can now routinely use computational tools to annotate cognate sets, align words, and search for regularly recurring sound correspondences. However, computational approaches still suffer from a very rigid sequence model of the form part of the linguistic sign, in which words and morphemes are segmented into fixed sound units which cannot be modified. In order to bring the representation of sound sequences in computational historical linguistics closer to the research practice of scholars who apply the traditional comparative method, we introduce improved sound sequence representations in which individual sound segments can be grouped into evolving sound units in order to capture language-specific sound laws more efficiently. We illustrate the usefulness of this enhanced representation of sound sequences in concrete examples and complement it by providing a small software library that allows scholars to convert their data from forms segmented into sound units to forms segmented into evolving sound units and vice versa.

Ancient languages and algorithms

Abstract Historical linguistics has experienced an upsurge in methodological innovation. However, owing to the constraints of contemporary publication, these innovations often appear in print in a format which is technical, dense and less than fully accessible. Moreover, because these innovations are still young and have often arisen in other fields before being translated to historical linguistics, our own discipline has yet to accumulate a stock of trusted explanations of them, presented lucidly and addressed specifically to our field and to its scientific concerns. This special issue is dedicated to promoting the accessibility of new methods. Despite their technical details, most new methods in historical linguistics rest upon a rationale and an essential logic that are perfectly comprehensible to interested historical linguists, so long as they are communicated in a fashion that is sympathetic and respectful to a linguistic audience. This introduction contextualizes the five papers of the special issue.

Twenty-first-century light over the Indo-European homeland: triangulating language, archaeology and genetics

The reviewed volumes represent the past and future of triangulating human prehistory. Both works address the integration of the knowledge embedded in the Indo-European group of languages into the interpretation of archaeological and genetic data, but approach this very differently. By enlisting the expertise of scholars from the three different fields, with 22 contributions from more than 40 scholars from more than 10 different countries, The Indo-European puzzle revisited is both a seminal work and a resounding commentary on the, by its very nature, limited perspectives voiced by Jean-Paul Demoule as a sole archaeologist author of his book The Indo-Europeans. The title of the former is based on the subtitle of Colin Renfrew's Archaeology and language: the puzzle of Indo-European origins (1987), another archaeologist's foray into historical linguistics.

WORD FORMATION THROUGH COMPOUNDING IN GEN-Z SLANG ON TIKTOK

Language is dynamic and reflective of societal changes, with Gen-Z, the first true digital natives, playing a pivotal role in linguistic evolution. This study examines the phenomenon of word formation through compounding in Gen-Z slang on TikTok, exploring its linguistic structures and meanings. By analyzing the common compounding patterns in Gen-Z slang, we gain insights into the creative processes and social influences shaping language use among this demographic. Utilizing a qualitative approach, data was collected from TikTok videos and comments between January 2023 and May 2024. The findings reveal 15 distinct compound words, with compound nouns being the most prevalent, followed by compound verbs and compound adjectives. Endocentric compounds were more common than exocentric ones. This research highlights the innovative nature of language within Generation Z, reflecting their values of self-expression, technological engagement, and creative problem-solving. The study underscores the role of social media in shaping contemporary language and provides a foundation for further exploration of linguistic innovations and their implications for language development and cultural expression in the digital age.

『경상남도지』의 ｢방언｣에 담긴 경남방언 연구

This article aims to closely examine the ‘Bangeon’ (1963:966-1029) included in the Kyungsangnamdoji published by the Kyungsangnam-do Compilation Committee in 1963 and to reveal the significance of this work in the context of the overall history of South Kyungsang dialect research. The ‘Bangeon’ proactively recognized dialects as "independent language variations" and attempted a synchronic description of the overall South Kyungsang dialect. This endeavor can be considered a groundbreaking achievement, as it overcame the atomistic research approach based on traditional historical linguistics. Meanwhile, the ‘Bangeon’ goes as far as to subdivide the South Kyungsang dialect by examining dialectal features such as the phoneme inventory and the distribution of grammatical morphemes in the South Kyungsang dialect. The fact that the research results of the ‘Bangeon’ are still validly referenced in discussions on this dialect to this day clearly demonstrates the noteworthiness of this work in the history of South Kyungsang dialect research.

Negative politeness and no worries in Australian English

AbstractThis paper explores how a distinctive politeness token can establish itself in a variety of world English by virtue of its pragmatics. It examines the usage of no worries as a negative politeness thanking response in a large multigenerational corpus of informal dialogues by men and women recorded at the University of Western Australia (UWA). Data from this UWA corpus reflect the steady evolution of no worries, from its indexical association with Australian men's talk to be taken up by younger Australian women. Though rooted in laconic spoken exchanges, the data also show extended uses of no worries in quoted speech as well as narrative reconstructions of spoken encounters to highlight their outcomes. In its further linguistic evolution, it works as a stance adverbial in dramatized interior monologues. It thus acquires new functions in various discourse contexts where a modicum of negative politeness adds value to the narrative or argument.