The book informs in three parts about the course and the essential aspects of German language history. The major connections are presented in 'longitudinal section articles' from the beginnings in the 8th/9th century to the present day (Part I). This is followed by 'cross-sectional articles', which also highlight the special characteristics of the individual language epochs from Old High German to modern New German (Part II). Finally, 'Linguistic Studies' offer insights into the much-discussed processes of sound change in German. Such a procedure has the advantage that the major developments can become much more apparent than in the 'corset' of successive epochal cross sections alone. The presentation is supported by numerous maps, tables and illustrations. Orientation aids of various kinds are intended to facilitate reading and a targeted search. Clear subdivisions of the.