History of the Yiddish Language

By Max Weinreich Yale University Press/YIVO  2008    2 volumes (1752 p.) Out of print Buy Used

Max Weinreich’s History of the Yiddish Language is a classic of Yiddish scholarship and is the only comprehensive scholarly account of the Yiddish language from its origin to the present. A monumental, definitive work, History of the Yiddish Language demonstrates the integrity of Yiddish as a language, its evolution from other languages, its unique properties, and its versatility and range in both spoken and written form. Originally published in 1973 in Yiddish by the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research and partially translated in 1980, it is now available in full in English for the first time. In addition to his text, Weinreich’s copious references and footnotes are also included in this two-volume set. 

The late Max Weinreich was co-founder of the YIVO Institute in Vilna and one of the world’s most important scholars of the Yiddish language. He completed History of the Yiddish Language, his magnum opus, shortly before his death.