What we do

The Henry Sweet Society for the History of Linguistic Ideas was founded in February 1984. Its aims are to promote and encourage the study of the history of all branches of linguistic thought, theoretical and applied, and including non-European traditions. Its fields of interest include the history both of the major subject areas of linguistics and also of more specialised topics, such as writing systems, literacy, rhetoric, and the application of linguistic ideas within professional and technical fields. Read more Henry Sweet

2016 Vivien law Prize

24 April 2017

Warm congratulations to Anna Pytlowany (University of Amsterdam), who has won the 2016 Vivien law Prize for an essay in the history of linguistics ideas. Anna’s essay is titled “Searching for the models for the first grammar of Hindustani (Ketelaar 1698)”.
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Other news

Colloquia

The Society organises a yearly Colloquium. Contributions on any aspect on the history of linguistics are welcome, as are ideas for panel discussions or thematic sessions. The 2016 Colloquium of the Henry Sweet Society of Linguistic Ideas will take place at Pembroke College, Cambridge September 13-15. Information about registration can be found via the ‘colloquia’ menu.

Grants

The Society invites applications for small amounts of funding (usually up to a maximum of £500) to support any form of activity which brings together language and history and allows them to be enjoyed by a non-academic audience. This money is made available thanks to the generosity of the late Martin Burr who was himself a non-academic with a passion for the study of language and history and the connection between them.

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Academic Journal

Language & HistoryLanguage and History is the Society's academic journal.

It aims to promote the study of the history of all branches of linguistic thought, theoretical and applied, and including non-European traditions.

Its fields of interest include the history both of the major subject areas of linguistics and also more specialised topics, such as writing systems, literacy, rhetoric, and the application of linguistic ideas within professional and technical fields.

Read more