Variation and populations

Robert McMahon

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511976360.012

Variation and populations

Robert McMahon

Department of Life Sciences

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This Chapter proposes that data from genetics can help us evaluate hypotheses on possible sources of past or present linguistic variation by tracing the histories of genetic markers in individuals and local populations. This sort of approach is also reflected in the work of the Centre for the Evolution of Cultural Diversity at UCL in London, and in a range of applications of the ‘new synthesis’ between archaeology, linguistics and genetics. Examples are taken from the early history of English both in the founding generations and later influence from Nordic languages and their speakers.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Analysing Variation in English
Editors	Warren Maguire, April McMahon
Place of Publication	Cambridge
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Pages	237-260
Number of pages	23
ISBN (Electronic)	978-113900585-2
ISBN (Print)	978-052189866-9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511976360.012
Publication status	Published - 2011

Keywords

language history
genetics
popular history

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title = "Variation and populations",

abstract = "This Chapter proposes that data from genetics can help us evaluate hypotheses on possible sources of past or present linguistic variation by tracing the histories of genetic markers in individuals and local populations. This sort of approach is also reflected in the work of the Centre for the Evolution of Cultural Diversity at UCL in London, and in a range of applications of the {\textquoteleft}new synthesis{\textquoteright} between archaeology, linguistics and genetics. Examples are taken from the early history of English both in the founding generations and later influence from Nordic languages and their speakers.",

keywords = "language history, genetics, popular history",

author = "Robert McMahon",

note = "This is a chapter in a research textbook intended for advanced undergraduates/early career postgraduates considering research options in the field of language variation and change. The text is cross disciplinary as it attempts to explain genetic types and possible methods of analysis, using examples from English history, to demonstrate the possibilities and limitations of the use of genetic data in helping to understand linguistic population histories via hypothesis formation and/or testing.",

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N2 - This Chapter proposes that data from genetics can help us evaluate hypotheses on possible sources of past or present linguistic variation by tracing the histories of genetic markers in individuals and local populations. This sort of approach is also reflected in the work of the Centre for the Evolution of Cultural Diversity at UCL in London, and in a range of applications of the ‘new synthesis’ between archaeology, linguistics and genetics. Examples are taken from the early history of English both in the founding generations and later influence from Nordic languages and their speakers.

AB - This Chapter proposes that data from genetics can help us evaluate hypotheses on possible sources of past or present linguistic variation by tracing the histories of genetic markers in individuals and local populations. This sort of approach is also reflected in the work of the Centre for the Evolution of Cultural Diversity at UCL in London, and in a range of applications of the ‘new synthesis’ between archaeology, linguistics and genetics. Examples are taken from the early history of English both in the founding generations and later influence from Nordic languages and their speakers.

KW - language history

KW - genetics

KW - popular history

UR - http://hdl.handle.net/2160/12894

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DO - 10.1017/CBO9780511976360.012

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BT - Analysing Variation in English

A2 - Maguire, Warren

A2 - McMahon, April

PB - Cambridge University Press

CY - Cambridge

ER -

Variation and populations

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