A Markov chain analysis of a network generated by the matrix of lexical distances allows for representing complex relationships between different languages in a language family geometrically, in terms of distances and angles. The fully automated method for construction of language taxonomy is tested on a sample of fifty languages of the Indo-European language group and applied to a sample of fifty languages of the Austronesian language group. The Anatolian and Kurgan hypotheses of the Indo-European origin and the ‘express train’ model of the Polynesian origin are thoroughly discussed.

Geometric representations of language taxonomies

PETRONI, F.;
2011-01-01

Abstract

A Markov chain analysis of a network generated by the matrix of lexical distances allows for representing complex relationships between different languages in a language family geometrically, in terms of distances and angles. The fully automated method for construction of language taxonomy is tested on a sample of fifty languages of the Indo-European language group and applied to a sample of fifty languages of the Austronesian language group. The Anatolian and Kurgan hypotheses of the Indo-European origin and the ‘express train’ model of the Polynesian origin are thoroughly discussed.
2011
Language taxonomy; Lexicostatistic data analysis; Indo-European and Polynesian origins
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
BlanchardetAl_CSL2011.PDF

Solo gestori archivio

Tipologia: versione editoriale
Dimensione 1.07 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.07 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11584/170
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 13
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 9
social impact