This course will examine how languages change over time, with a focus on changes at the levels of phonology, morphology and syntax. In addition to a descriptive overview of common types of change and a theoretical investigation of the various mechanisms that cause and constrain the changes, we will devote significant time to methodological discussions about how we collect and interpret historical language data to arrive at an understanding of linguistic systems that are no longer spoken and identify the changes that have affected them. This Blockseminar will take place synchronously via ZOOM.
Semester: SoSe 2021