Toward a History of American Linguistics (Routledge Studies in the History of Linguistics)

Beginning with the anthropological linguistic tradition associated primarily with the names of Franz Boas, Edward Sapir and their students and concluding with the work of Noam Chomsky and William Labov at the end of the century. This book offers a comprehensive account of essential periods and areas of research in the history of American Linguistics and also addresses contemporary debates and issues within linguistics. Topics covered include: * The sources of the 'Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis' * Leonard Bloomfield and the Cours de linguistique générale * The 'Chomskyan Revolution' and its Historiography * The Origins of Morphophonemics in American Linguistics *William Labov and the Origins of Sociolinguistics in America. Toward a History of American Linguistics will be invaluable reading for academics and advanced students within the fields of linguistics and the history of linguistics. When The Linguistic Society Of America Was Founded In 1924, Linguistics Became Professionalized And Was No Longer The Domain Of Philologists Or Amateur Students Of Language. From An Initial Consideration Of Seventeenth-century Missionary Studies Of Indigenous Languages, Toward A History Of American Linguistics Goes On To Focus Mainly On The Ideas Of Scholars Who Dominated Linguistic Thinking In The Post-1924 Period. Beginning With The Anthropological Linguistic Tradition Associated Primarily With Franz Boas, Edward Sapir And Their Students, And Concluding With The Work Of Noam Chomsky And William Labov At The End Of The Twentieth Century, This Book Offers A Comprehensive Account Of Essential Periods And Areas Of Research In The History Of American Linguistics And Also Addresses Contemporary Debates And Issues Within Linguistics. Toward A History Of American Linguistics Is Invaluable Reading For Academics And Advanced Students Within The Fields Of Linguistics And The History Of Linguistics.--book Jacket. 1. The Historiography Of American Linguistics -- 2. Toward A History Of Americanist Linguistics -- 3. On The Sources Of The S̀apir-whorf Hypothesis' -- 4. Leonard Bloomfield And The Cours De Linguistique Generale -- 5. American Structuralist Linguistics And The P̀roblem Of Meaning' -- 6. On The Rise And Fall Of Generative Semantics -- 7. Noam Chomsky's Readings Of Saussure After 1961 -- 8. The C̀homskyan Revolution' And Its Historiography -- 9. On The Origins Of Morphophonemics In American Linguistics -- 10. William Labov And The Origins Of Sociolinguistics In America -- In Lieu Of A Conclusion: On The Importance Of The History Of Linguistics. E.f.k. Koerner. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. The year 1924 was the founding of the Linguistic Society of America, the year when linguistics in America was beginning to become professionalized and no longer the domain of philologists or amateur students of language. From an initial consideration of 17th century missionary study of indigenous languages, "Toward a History of American Linguistics" goes on to focus mainly on the ideas of scholars who dominated linguistic thinking post-1924. Beginning with the anthropological linguistics tradition associated primarily with the names of Franz Boas, Edward Sapir and their students and concluding with the work of Noam Chomsky and William Labov at the end of the century, this book offers a comprehensive account of essential periods and areas of research in the history of American Linguistics and also addresses contemporary debates and issues within linguistics. Topics covered include: on the sources of the "Sapir-Whorf hypothesis"; Leonard Bloomfield and the Cours de linguistique generale; the "Chomskyan revolution" and its historiography; on the origins of morphophonemics in American linguistics; and William Labov and the origins of sociolinguistics in America Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Acknowledgments......Page 6 Prefatory Observations......Page 10 The Historiography of American Linguistics......Page 12 Toward a History of Americanist Linguistics......Page 28 On the Sources of the 'Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis'......Page 50 Leonard Bloomfield and the Cours de linguistique generale......Page 74 American Structuralist Linguistics and the'Problem of Meaning'......Page 86 On the Rise and Fall of Generative Semantics......Page 116 Noam Chomsky's Readings of Saussure after 1961......Page 142 The 'Chomskyan Revolution' and its Historiography......Page 162 On the Origins of Morphophonemics in American Linguistics......Page 221 William Labov and the Origins of Sociolinguistics in America......Page 264 In Lieu of a Conclusion: On the importance of the history of linguistics......Page 296 Index of Subjects Terms......Page 315 Index of Biographical Names......Page 320 About the Author......Page 327 A comprehensive account of essential periods and areas of research in the history of American Linguistics which addresses contemporary debates and issues within linguistics