K Milar I And Other Australian Languages

Trask’s Historical Linguistics provides an accessible introduction to historical linguistics – the study of language change over time. This engaging book is illustrated with language examples from all six continents, and covers the fundamental concepts of language change, methods for historical linguistics, linguistic reconstruction, sociolinguistic aspects of language change, language contact, the birth and death of languages, language and prehistory, and the issue of very remote relations. The fourth edition of this renowned textbook is fully revised and updated and covers the most recent developments in historical linguistics, including: A thorough reworking of sections on morphological and syntactic change, incorporating progress in areas such as grammaticalization and the discussion of the Indo-European ‘homeland’ Discussion and analysis of ‘folk’ historical linguistics and its connection with some of the more eccentric views of professional linguists An expanded discussion of language contact, historical sociolinguistics, and language planning, including a discussion of contemporary competing views on the genesis and nature of creoles, and their importance in our understanding of radical linguistic change Updated support material including suggestions for essay questions and a larger number of supporting examples of the phenomena described in the book Trask’s Historical Linguistics is essential reading for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students of historical linguistics as well as any student looking for a grounded introduction to the English language.

This book traces the patterns and impact of immigration to Australia since 1945, focusing on immigrants from non-English-speaking backgrounds who came to New South Wales. Australia has been diversified by the range of immigrants who have come to its shores, a diversification that has been welcomed by some and vehemently opposed by others. The book describes the personal experience of many newcomers to Australia, who came as displaced persons, refugees, on business migration programs or independently. Their testaments show that while some were invited and encouraged to share in the Australian experiment, others have been treated as intruders.

Overview of the language and its speakers; phonology; nominals; verbs; syntax; Appendix A: Texts; Appendix B: Vocabulary; Appendix C: Verb paradigms; Appendix D: Verbal complex paradigms.

A study of the more than two hundred different Aboriginal languages of Australia. Professor Dixon deals first with the general character of these languages, and their use and role in Australia today. He stresses that they are in no sense 'primitive' languages, but have a rich and complex grammar with the many subtle and distinctive features. He goes on to demonstrate this in the first-ever study of their genetic relationships, probable origins and historical development, and their grammatical and phonological behaviour. This is in many ways a pioneering work, and a fundamental one. The Press has already published two major scholarly studies by Professor Dixon of individual Australian languages, Dyirbal and Yidin. He offers here the synthesis that they pointed towards, provisional still in many of its details, but sufficiently convincing in outline to stimulate the next stage of professional research, to provide the general linguist with the kind of survey to the interested Australian something of the extraordinary linguistic heritage of the continent, now and for some time past seriously at risk.

Provides a thorough overview of Australian languages including language endangerment, language contact and language loss. Australian English, Aboriginal English and other English varieties are also discussed.

An introduction to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait languages that explains their distinctive features accessibly for readers who have no previous experience with learning another language, and shows how language reflects traditional culture.