Cambridge Handbook of Areal Linguistics

Providing a contemporary and comprehensive view of the topical field of areal linguistics, this book looks systematically at different regions of the world whilst presenting a focused and informed overview of the theory behind research into areal linguistics and language contact. The topicality of areal linguistics is thoroughly documented by a wealth of case studies from all major regions of the world and, with chapters from scholars with a broad spectrum of language expertise, it offers insights into the mechanisms of external language change. With no book currently like this in the market, The Cambridge Handbook of Areal Linguistics will be welcomed by students and scholars working on the history of language families, documentation and classification, and will help readers to understand the key field of areal linguistics within a broader linguistic context.