A Review of Principles of Linguistic Change: Cognitive and Cultural Factors

Abstract

Labov's Principles of Linguistic Change: Cognitive and Cultural Factors is the third volume of his trilogy, the first two dealing with internal factors and social factors controlling linguistic change. Volume 3 examines the cognitive and cultural factors responsible for linguistic change. The present volume explores into the internal factors discussed in Volume 1, concentrating on the cognitive factors determining the capacity of linguistic system to transmit information. This vo-lume also investigates the social factors considered in Volume 2, moving from the inquiry of face-to-face interaction in local communities to a further examination of cultural patterns in a wide range and on a diachronic basis.