LINGUIST List 15.1512
Thu May 13 2004
Books: Language Description: Hewitt
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lincom.europa, Introduction to the Study of the Caucasian Languages: Hewitt
Message 1: Introduction to the Study of the Caucasian Languages: Hewitt
Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 11:19:23 -0400 (EDT)
From: lincom.europa <lincom.europat-online.de>
Subject: Introduction to the Study of the Caucasian Languages: Hewitt
Title: Introduction to the Study of the Caucasian Languages
Series Title: LINCOM Handbook in Linguistics H19
Publication Year: 2004
Publisher: Lincom GmbH
http://www.lincom-europa.com
http://lincom.at
Author: George Hewitt, SOAS, London
Hardback: ISBN: 3895867349, Pages: 420, Price: Europe EURO 120.00
Abstract:
Chapter 1 - Origins and Progress of the Study
The chapter includes a survey of those who have made the most
significant contributions to our understanding of the nature of, and
relations between, the relevant languages and notes some websites that
offer sources of information.
Chapter 2 - The Language-families and Individual Languages
The individual languages along with appropriate sociolinguistic data
are here introduced
Chapter 3 - Phonological Systems
Consonant- and vowel-systems, with discussion of such interesting
features as the level of minimalism in the North West Caucasian family
and the differing consonantal inventories in the North East that one
finds in the works of different commentators, are included here
Chapter 4 - Morphology
This is the first of the two central substantial chapters. It compares
the ways in which the different families achieve their levels of
complexity, with polysynthetic verbal systems coupled with minimal
noun-morphology in the North West contrasting with complex nominal
morphogies accompanied by relatively simply verbal structures in the
North Central and North East, with South Caucasian occupying a middle
area of reasonably complex verbal and nominal systems together
Chapter 5 - Syntax
This is the largest of the chapters and introduces material from
members of all the families for all the major syntactic
constructions. Since syntactic properties are normally not examined in
detail in the traditional grammars produced by native linguists, the
information contained here should be especially useful
Chapter 6 - Lexis
Some properties of word-formation are presented, especially the
numerical systems
Chapter 7 - What Does the Future Hold?
There is is a discussion of the scripts employed for the literary
languages of the region, and the opportunity is taken to stress views
already expressed by the author as to the possibility of introducing a
roman-based orthography that could be used to represent ANY of the
northern languages. Failing this, a unified Cyrillic-based system is
also discussed
Appendix - Kartvelian Preverbs
The book, which is dedicated to the memory of Helma van den Berg, who
died during the final weeks of its preparation, is completed by a
comprehensive list of references which should serve as a useful
bibliography for anyone new to the subject.
Unlike G. Klimov's earlier introduction (available in both Russian and
German translation), with its division into self-contained
descriptions for the different language-families, information here is
presented on a thematic basis.
Lingfield(s): Language Description
Written In: English (Language Code: ENG)
See this book announcement on our website:
http://linguistlist.org/get-book.html?BookID=9998.