Another perspective in historical linguistics

Abstract EN

In historical linguistics, the comparative method is conventionally used to uncover the genetic relationships between languages.

such a method has shown accurate results in some cases, as in the case of Indo-European languages.

however, it seems risky to apply it indiscriminately to other languages.

in this paper, we first define the comparative method, and then take Papuan languages as an example to show how this method may not always be effective.

finally, we explain how typology seems to be a useful way to assess genetic relationships among different languages, or at least support the results found by using the comparative method.