Abstract
<jats:p> This chapter provides a broad survey of today's dynamic diachronic linguistic enterprise, highlighting some areas not yet covered in large reference works and handbooks. It first treats some definitional matters and three key moments in the history of the field relevant to the contemporary scene. It then turns to selected central themes in the <jats:italic>Companion to Diachronic and Historical Linguistics</jats:italic> ( <jats:italic>DiaCom</jats:italic> ). First, the relationship of diachronic to synchronic linguistics has long been a central issue, and that relationship is changing today. This raises a second issue, about diachronic theorizing and its relationship to synchronic theory and theorizing. Third, the social side of language change has taken on new and important roles in diachronic linguistics. Finally, the chapter considers the place of diachronic linguistics across various domains or subfields, and within the full field of linguistics and allied sciences. Throughout, this chapter aims to provide some context for the almost 150 chapters in this project. </jats:p>