Historical-critical edition of Wilhelm von Humboldt's writings on language and linguistics (ca. 22 vols.) complemented by scientific-historical and linguistic studies.

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jürgen Trabant
• Subject Area: General and Comparative Linguistics, Experimental Linguistics, Typology, Non-European Languages
• Term: from 2013 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 234247550

In this project, Humboldt's writings on language and linguistics are being edited for the first time, in a historical-critical edition. Thus, a large number of Humboldt's empirical studies on language on the basis of manuscripts in the author's legacy are being published for the first time. The texts open up a new perspective on Humboldt's linguistic thinking, which until now has been understood almost solely under theoretical and philosophical aspects. However, it is only by examining Humboldt's practical work in the description of real languages that the full range of his linguistic thought can be fully understood. The edition also includes texts by Humboldt that are not directly concerned with linguistics, but which illuminate the formation and development of his ideas on language. His correspondence on linguistic topics, which had been ignored until now in research on Humboldt, is also included.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Institution: Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Tilman Borsche; Professor Dr. Gordon Whittaker