Review published In: Concentric
Vol. 46:2 (2020) ► pp.299–311
Book review
. The Historical Phonology of Tibetan, Burmese, and Chinese. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2019. 374 pp. ISBN 978-1-107-14648-8. $98 paperback.
Reviewed by
Published online: 28 October 2020
https://doi.org/10.1075/consl.00020.orl
https://doi.org/10.1075/consl.00020.orl
Abstract
The book under review serves as a significant contribution to the field of Trans-Himalayan linguistics. Designed
as a vade mecum for readers with little linguistic background in these three languages, Nathan W. Hill’s work
attempts, on the one hand, a systematic exploration of the shared history of Burmese, Tibetan and Chinese, and, on the other, a
general introduction to the reader interested in obtaining an overall understanding of the state of the art of the historical
phonology of these three languages. Whilst it is acknowledged that the book in question has the potential to be a solid
contribution to the field, it is also felt that few minor issues can be also addressed.
Keywords: Trans-Himalayan, Burmese, Tibetan, Chinese, historical phonology, sound laws
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