This is the definitive guide to historical linguistics, covering all the most important issues in the field. "The Continuum Companion to Historical Linguistics" engages with the key issues, concepts, movements and approaches in historical linguistics. The book includes coverage of key terms, and sections on: methodology; phonology; morphology; morphosyntax; syntax; semantics; lexicology; etymology; language contact; and, sociolinguistics. It is a complete resource for postgraduate students and researchers working on historical linguistics. Each companion offers a comprehensive reference resource giving an overview of key topics, research areas, new directions and a manageable guide to beginning or developing research in the field. It offers a survey of current research and also gives more practical guidance on advanced study and research in the area. "The Continuum Companions Series" is a major series of single volume companions to key research fields in the humanities aimed at postgraduate students, scholars and libraries.Each companion offers a comprehensive reference resource giving an overview of key topics, research areas, new directions and a manageable guide to beginning or developing research in the field. A distinctive feature of the series is that each companion provides practical guidance on advanced study and research in the field, including research methods and subject-specific resources.