Linguistic Diversity in Space and Time

In this ground-breaking book, Johanna Nichols proposes means of describing, comparing, and interpreting linguistic diversity, both genetic and structural, providing the foundations for a theory of diversity based upon population science. This book will interest linguists, archaeologists, and population specialists.

"An awe-inspiring book, unequalled in scope, originality, and the range of language data considered."—Anna Siewierska, Linguistics

"Fascinating. . . . A brilliant pioneering study."—Journal of Indo-European Studies

"A superbly reasoned book."—John A. C. Greppin, Times Literary Supplement

Booknews

In contrast to cross-linguistic work based on theories of sameness, and its attendant restriction to shallow time depths and inability to draw inferences from diversity, Nichols (Slavic languages, U. of California, Berkeley) proposes means of describing, comparing, and interpreting linguistic diversity,both genetic and structural, and thereby provides the foundations for a theory of diversity based upon population science. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)