Product Description

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #80815 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 568 pages

Review
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)

From the Back Cover
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.

About the Author
Benjamin W. Fortson IV is Assistant Professor of Greek and Latin Language, Literature, and Historical Linguistics in the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Michigan.

Customer Reviews

Forston IV has done a fine job here ...
This book is a revelation as an introductory book to the topic of Indo-European studies, especially for a beginner. I could not recommend a first-timer to the subject to any other book but this one. No offence to the others, but this one just oozes confidence to its readers with each chapter. Once read and thoroughly pondered upon section by section, you'll never have a cumbersome task handling problems regarding IE. This book will enable readers to improve their knowledge upon aspects on history, mankind and its language. The book will be further enlightened upon by reading Forbidden Archeology: The Hidden History of the Human Race by Michael A. Cremo and Richard L. Thompson. But barring that, IE Lang. & Culture is an absorbing meditation. Buy it, studying it, think upon what you've read - and you must think, exertion isn't effortless - no, it takes some amount of energy, and for all your pains, you'll be glad that you read this book. I say no more.

Easy as PIE
Mr. Fortson's book is the most readable and accessible account of this complex material that I have yet seen. I recommend it to anyone interested in language generally, and in the history of IE languages particularly.

H.D.Lepine