Synopses & Reviews
Indo-European Language and Culture: An Introduction provides a comprehensive overview of comparative Indo-European linguistics and the branches of the Indo-European language family, covering both linguistic and cultural material.
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.
Review
"Ben Fortson's book is the best existing introduction to Indo-European linguistics: up-to-date and comprehensive, accessible without being oversimplified. Students and interested laypersons will find it indispensable."
–Don Ringe, University of Pennsylvania
"Fortson’s Introduction continues to be the textbook of choice for introductory Indo-European. In its presentation of both fact and theory, it is a marvel of accuracy, completeness, and sound judgment."
–Brent Vine, UCLA
"The perfect book for an introductory Indo-European course, lively and engaging throughout, yet detailed, accurate, and authoritative. The hands-on exercises at the end of each chapter are a unique and valuable feature."
–Jay Jasanoff, Harvard University
"This is an excellent introduction to Proto-Indo-European and its study. Both the chapters on various aspects of PIE grammar and those describing the various Indo-European branches are masterly précis of their subjects. As a Tocharianist I’m pleased to see that all branches of Indo-European are given the same thoughtful, substantial treatment. Both novices and the experienced Indo-Europeanists will read this book with profit; more than one of the latter group will wish he had written himself."
–Douglas Q. Adams, University of Idaho
Synopsis
This revised and expanded edition provides a comprehensive overview of comparative Indo-European linguistics and the branches of the Indo-European language family, covering both linguistic and cultural material. Now offering even greater coverage than the first edition, it 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
About the Author
Praise for the Previous Edition:"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)
Table of Contents
Table of Contents.
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