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Lexicostatistics and Australian languages: Problems and prospects

Black, Paul (1997). Lexicostatistics and Australian languages: Problems and prospects. In Tryon, Darrell and Walsh, Michael(Ed.), Boundary rider: Essays in honour of Geoffrey O'Grady. Canberra, A.C.T., Australia: Pacific Linguistics, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University. (pp. 51-69).

Document type: Book Chapter
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Author Black, Paul
Title of Chapter Lexicostatistics and Australian languages: Problems and prospects
Title of Book Boundary rider: Essays in honour of Geoffrey O'Grady
Place of Publication Canberra, A.C.T., Australia
Publisher Pacific Linguistics, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University
Publication Year 1997
Series Pacific linguistics. Series C ; no. 136
Editor Tryon, Darrell
Walsh, Michael
ISBN 0858834402   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Chapter Number 3
Start Page 51
End Page 69
Total Pages 19
Total Chapters 18
Language English
Field of Research 380206 Language in Time and Space (incl. Historical Linguistics, Dialectology)
HERDC Category B - Book Chapter (DEST)
Abstract The present paper begins by pointing out the limitations of more traditional comparative linguistic approaches and why we can expect lexicostatistics to perform better in Australia. Since it has sometimes been argued that the peculiarities of Australian languages could limit the applicability of lexicostatistics, I then draw on previously unpublished work to show (a) why name taboo cannot be expected to affect lexical change in Australia to anywhere near as great extent as has sometimes been imagined, (b) how proposed cases of rapid lexical change are not supported by the available evidence, and (c) how lexicostatistical approaches can be used to detect and cope with cases of heavy borrowing.
Keyword lexicostatistics
comparative linguistics
Australian Indigenous languages
borrowing
rate of lexical change
Additional Notes Accepted version pp. 1-37.
 
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Created: Mon, 08 Dec 2014, 12:22:17 CST by Paul Black