The relation of language variation to reconstructed languages and to the methodology of reconstruction has long been neglected. In this volume, the relationship between language and variation is considered from a number of different angles, looking at evidence from various language families. In doing so, the papers in this volume address a number of interconnected issues which are of current concern in comparative and historical linguistics.

This unique reference volume covers the 18 dialects of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Alsace and Luxembourg. Each section discusses the status of dialect in the region concerned together with the historical and geographical background. Then follows a description of the dialect structure of the region, copiously illustrated with phonological, grammatical and lexical examples in IPA transcription. The phonology, grammar and vocabulary of one typical dialect are presented together with a commentary. All examples are given with English glosses. The volume will be of most interest to Germanists with some knowledge of the linguistics and history of German, wishing to deepen their knowledge of German dialects. General linguists and sociolinguists who wish to know about German dialects will also find it useful. It can serve as an intermediate level textbook for any course on German dialects which builds on a linguistics or history of German course.

This book serves as an introductory text and reference manual for the study of American German and American Icelandic bilingualism. Specifically, the book deals with English influence on the spoken dialects of American German and compares these results with similar data for spoken American Icelandic. The book summarizes past research in this field, derives conclusions from this research, and points out topics where more study is needed. It contains a comprehensive bibliography, an index of scholars, an index of dialects and languages, and an index of terms. The book is indispensable for anyone interested in bilingualism in general and American German bilingualism in particular.

This "work is organized by subject. Materials are grouped under twelve main sections in the body of the work, with appropriate subdivisions and subtopics within each main subject. Each section is assigned a two-letter designation, and entries are numbered consecutively within each section. This subject code system was designed to facilitate referals from the Index to the main body of the text, and to allow for cross-referencing between sections."--Introduction.