Indo-European Language and Culture: An Introduction (Blackwell Textbooks in Linguistics)

Opening with an introduction to the comparative method of linguistic reconstruction and discussion of the culture and homeland of the Indo-Europeans, the volume provides detailed overviews of the phonology, morphology, and syntax of reconstructed Proto-Indo-European. Each branch’s development from ancient to modern times is outlined, and illustrative text samples are given along with translations, etymological commentary, exercises and suggestions for further reading in all chapters.

This new edition contains illustrations and photographs of inscriptions illustrating the ancient writing systems, and enhanced and new coverage of dozens of languages. Corrected, revised, and with greater coverage than the first edition, Indo-European Language and Culture is the definitive introduction to the field.

• Updated, corrected, and expanded edition, containing new illustrations of selected texts and inscriptions, and text samples with translations and etymological commentary

• Extensively covers individual histories of both ancient and modern languages of the Indo-European family

• Provides an overview of Proto-Indo-European culture, society, and language

• Designed for use in courses, with exercises and suggestions for further reading included in each chapter

• Includes maps, a glossary, a bibliography, and comprehensive word and subject indexes

"Superb … [Fortson's] short general discussions of the histories and ecologies of the individual languages are the best I have ever read." (Recensiones - Salesianum, 2008)

"I would like to conclude by stressing that this is an excellent textbook. I have taught from it, and the students in my class not only learned a great deal from it, they also seemed to enjoy the book almost as much as I did." (Bryn Mawr Classical Review)

"Finally, there is a reliable, engaging and accessible presentation of the communis opinio. And there are even exercises! … Fortson has produced an excellent book that fulfills its goals admirably. I hope it will inspire a renaissance of Indo-European linguistics in English speaking countries." (Journal of the American Oriental Society)

1 Introduction: The Comparative Method and the Indo-European Family.

2 Proto-Indo-European Culture and Archaeology.

3 Proto-Indo-European Phonology.

4 Proto-Indo-European Morphology: Introduction.

5 The Verb.

6 The Noun.

7 Pronouns and Other Parts of Speech.

8 Proto-Indo-European Syntax.

9 Anatolian.

10 Indo-Iranian I: Indic.

11 Indo-Iranian II: Iranian.

12 Greek.

13 Italic.

14 Celtic.

15 Germanic.

16 Armenian.

17 Tocharian.

18 Balto-Slavic.

19 Albanian.

20 Fragmentary Languages