Word frequency and lexical diffusion /

Does sound change in language happen all at once, or does it spread gradually throughout the words that contain that sound? This controversy between the neogrammarian view and the concept of lexical diffusion underlies much phonological inquiry in the field of linguistics. Phillips (Indiana State Univ.) argues persuasively for lexical diffusion as the explanation for sound change--that is, that sound change spreads gradually. She further posits that the speed of this change is affected by the frequency with which the word is used. Building on Matthew Chen and William Wang's article "Sound Change, Actuation and Implementation" (Language, vol. 51, no. 2, June 1975) and her own work, Phillips makes a convincing case. She cites many examples from both her own and other linguists' studies and from many different languages to illustrate how word frequency can affect sound change. She extends the theory to child language acquisition. Her arguments against William Labov's and others' neogrammarian theories are convincing, but her examples and use of linguistics terminology make this a resource for specialists in phonology. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, and professionals. P. J. Kurtz Minot State University