The Austric Phylum. Versions of a Hypothesis: A Brief Account of the Issue. Part 1
Author(s):
Pain, F
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Orientalia Lovaniensia Periodica, Volume 31, (2000). pp. 137-191.
Language:
French
Abstract:
In part 1 of an examination of controversy since 1906 over hypothesized genetic relationships among the languages of Southeast Asia & Oceania, internal & external taxonomies proposed for the Austronesian, Austroasiatic, Tai-Kadai, & Hmong-Mien language families are outlined & critically reviewed. Although Wilhelm Schmidt (1906) was the first to propose a genetic link between Austronesian & Austroasiatic, his postulated Austric phylum was vitiated by his confusion of language & race & his excessive reliance on lexical similarities without taking phonological correspondences into account. More recent discussion centers on Paul Benedict's Austro-Tai hypothesis, linking Austronesian to Tai-Kadai & Hmong-Mien, arguments advanced against Austro-Tai, & criticism of Benedict's rejection of a genetic link between Austro-Tai & Austronesian. Various proposed taxonomies for Tai-Kadai & modern versions of the Austric hypothesis are considered, & a comparative study of the derivational morphology of the Munda & Mon-Khmer branches of Austroasiatic indicates possible affixal correspondences with Austronesian. 8 Figures, 123 References. J. Hitchcock