The Secret History of Language: Language Change Unraveled
Author(s): Lyle Campbell (Author)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication Date: June 18, 2026
Language: English
Print length: 240 pages
ISBN-10: 1009757997
ISBN-13: 9781009757997
Book Description
What are the causes of language change? Where do words come from? Is modern technology and social media corrupting our language? Language change is just as relevant today as it ever was, yet the secrets of how and why it occurs remain tantalisingly out of reach to anyone without a background in linguistics. This book has the answers. Written by one of the leading experts in the field, it provides readers with an accessible account of language change, unraveling the processes and phenomena that have so far remained locked within academia. It explores a range of fascinating topics, such as whether language change is bad, whether change is different in some kinds of languages than others, and if television, AI, and modern technology have any impact on language change. Written in a lively and engaging way, it uncovers the marvels and mysteries of language change for anyone curious about this captivating field.
Editorial Reviews
Review
‘Engagingly written by a leading historical linguist, this book treats its readers to a richly illustrated exposé of popular myths about language in general, specific languages, and change in language(s). Campbell explores how words and names (including his own!) originate, how meanings, sounds, and grammatical constructions and categories are transformed over time, how linguists determine, analyze, and model such changes, and more. All in all, an informative - and entertaining - read!’ Brian D. Joseph, The Ohio State University
‘This book is a lively journey through fascinating areas of language history, from word histories to changes in grammar to the story of language families and prehistory as reflected in language. It is aimed at general readers, who will enjoy learning about how languages, and English in particular, come to be the way they are.’ Sarah G. Thomason, University of Michigan
Book Description
From ancient scripts to newest words, this engaging book unravels the marvels and mysteries of language change and language history.
About the Author
Lyle Campbell is Professor Emeritus at the University of Hawai'i Mānoa. His research specializations include historical linguistics, language documentation, America's Indian languages, and typology. He has been awarded the LSA's Leonard Bloomfield Book Award twice, for American Indian Languages (Oxford University Press, 2000) and Historical Syntax in Cross-linguistics Perspective (with Harris, Cambridge University Press, 1995).
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