The spatial diffusion of linguistic changes: new methods and theoretical perspectives

The objective of the studies compiled in this volume is to explore the possibilities of incorporating the spatial dimension in the study of language change. This introductory chapter reviews the specific issues that affect the notion of space in language change in its epistemological, theoretical and methodological facets. Finally, the contents of this volume are presented, with case studies that adopt a variety of data sources and analytical techniques to understand the diffusion on the physical space of linguistic changes, both in the distant past and in the language of today.