A History of the Spanish Language

This is a thoroughly revised, updated and expanded edition of Ralph Penny’s authoritative textbook, first published in 1991, which provides a clear and elegant account of the development of Spanish over the last 2,000 years. Although principally oriented towards ‘internal’ history, ‘external’ history is also considered and referred to throughout. In this new edition, as well as adding insights from recent scholarship throughout the text, Professor Penny has added a new chapter which discusses the nature of linguistic history, the concept of World Spanish, processes of convergence and divergence in Spanish, and the English/Spanish interface. This edition also contains a glossary of technical terms, guidance on further reading, and suggested topics for discussion.

• Thoroughly revised and updated edition of this established standard introductory text on the history of Spanish • Includes new chapter covering topics including the concept of World Spanish, processes of convergence and divergence in Spanish, and the English/Spanish interface • New features include a glossary of technical terms, guidance on further reading, and suggested topics for discussion

1. Introduction; 2. Phonology; 3. Morpho-syntax; 4. Lexis; 5. Semantics; 6. Past, present and future; Glossary of technical terms; Topics for discussion and further reading; References; Index.

‘Penny marshals the linguistic facts with considerable skill and manages consistently to tame complex or untidy phenomena without over simplifying them … the publication of the revised edition is a significant event in Spanish linguistics and I imagine that anyone leading a course on the history of Spanish will already have ordered multiple library copies.’ Bulletin of Spanish Studies

‘… this second edition is another milestone in Castilian historical linguistic scholarship, and will continue to be an indispensable tool for students and tutors in the field.‘ Forum for Modern Language Studies