This book explores the dynamics of language changes from sociolinguistic and historical linguistic perspectives. With in-depth case studies from all around the world, it uses diverse approaches across sociolinguistics and historical linguistics to answer questions such as: How and why do language changes begin?; how do language changes spread?; and how can they ultimately be explained?

Each chapter explores a different component of language change, including typology, syntax, morphology, phonology, semantics, lexicology, discourse strategies, diachronic change, synchronic change, how the deafblind modify sign language, and the accommodation of language to song. This book presents a comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of language change over time, simultaneously advancing current research and suggesting new directions in sociolinguistic and historical linguistic approaches.

Dr.Keith Allan is Emeritus Professor of Linguistics at Monash University and Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Queensland. He was a recipient of the Centenary Medal for Service to Australian Society and the Humanities in Linguistics and Philology. Dr. Allan's research interests focus mainly on aspects of meaning in language, with a secondary interest in the history and philosophy of linguistics.

Part 1: Language Changes: Looking Within a Language.- Chapter 1. Language and Revolution: Disruptions and Ruptures in the (Social) Histories of Language.- Chapter 2. Different Sources, Same Path - The Development of Addressee Based Deictics to Markers of Discourse Status.- Chapter 3. Diachronic Typological Profiling Against Synchronic Variation in the Anglophone World.- Chapter 4. Taboo Negators and The Jespersen Cycle.- Chapter 5. Standardise this! Prescriptivism and Resistance to Standardization in Language Revitalisation.- Chapter 6. Be Seeing Youse: Understanding the Place of Youse in Contemporary Australian English.- Chapter 7. 'I could literally care less': Online Attitudes to Language Change(s).- Chapter 8. Is Kate Burridge Unique?.- Chapter 9. Construction Grammar and Language Change in Australia: What do you think this is, Bush Week?.- Chapter 10. Unlocking the English Wordhord Today.- Part 2: Across Languages.- Chapter 11. Semantic Change, Partial Synonymy and the Indeterminacy of Interpretation.- Chapter 12. Old, Middle, and Modern: Temporality and Typology.- Chapter 13. Language Contact and Language Change in the Sepik Region of New Guinea.- Chapter 14. What's the Score?.- Part 3: Language Changes: Other Aspects.- Chapter 15. From Seeing to Feeling: How Do Deafblind People Adapt Visual Sign Languages?.- Chapter 16. Sound Symbolism and Language Change.- Chapter 17. The Singpho Water Flowing Song: Searching for the poetics in a rich maze of linguistic forms.