This book presents a new and innovative theory on the origin of the Germanic languages. This theory presents solutions to four pivotal problems in the history of Germanic with critical implications for cultural history: the origin of the Germanic writing system (the Runic alphabet), the genesis of… read more
The theory of language change has in recent years increased its explanatory repertoire by pointing out the role of language contact in determining which paths of development are entered and followed under specified conditions. In particular, language shifting – as unmonitored second language… read more
SUMMARY It is traditionally believed that language universals have their source in the uniform genetic endowment of all human beings. In his keynote address "Investigating linguistic universals" presented at the 12th International Congress of Phonetic Sciences, held at Aix-en-Provence in 1991, Ian… read more
SUMMARY This paper studies systematic relationships between two sound changes, the High Germanic Consonant Shift and the West Germanic Anaptyxis. Since the High Germanic languages, i.e., High German and Lombardic, are a division of the West Germanic Sprachbund, it might be thought — and this is… read more
