English historical linguistics is a subfield of linguistics which has developed theories and methods for exploring the history of the English language. This Handbook provides an account of state-of-the-art research on this history. It offers an in-depth survey of materials, methods, and language-theoretical models used to study the long diachrony of English. The frameworks covered include corpus linguistics, historical sociolinguistics, historical pragmatics and manuscript studies, among others. The chapters, by leading experts, examine the interplay of language theory and empirical data throughout, critically assessing the work in the field. Of particular importance are the diverse data sources which have become increasingly available in electronic form, allowing the discipline to develop in new directions. The Handbook offers access to the rich and many-faceted spectrum of work in English historical linguistics, past and present, and will be useful for researchers and students interested in hands-on research on the history of English.

‘Written by the foremost experts in the field, this timely handbook provides a fresh and exciting overview of methodologies and approaches in the diachronic study of the English language.'

Andreas H. Jucker - University of Zurich

'An engaging, well-planned survey of evidence, theories and recent research, particularly strong on methodology. Students and seasoned scholars too will undoubtedly find much to interest and enlighten them.'

David Denison - University of Manchester