In this Handbook the term ‘history of the language sciences’ will be used to denote the development of linguistic theories (ideas, proposals of analysis, explanations, methodological frameworks) as well as the organizational structures of their implementation, dissemination and teaching throughout the documented history of humankind. Theregular use of the term ‘linguistics’ in this Handbook should not be taken as in any way implying a strict definition of the field. In a strict sense the term might be taken to be applicable only to the modern period in which linguistics was recognized as a separate discipli ne with its own well-defined principles of research and professional organization.
