Definition of glottochronology in English:
glottochronology
noun ˌɡlɒtəʊkrəˈnɒlədʒiˌɡlädōkrəˈnäləjē
mass nounThe use of statistical data to date the divergence of languages from their common sources.
Example sentencesExamples
- The basic fallacy of glottochronology lies in the fact that it a priori assumes that all languages change at the same rate all the time.
- Many of the papers in these volumes show a revival of interest in the much criticised techniques of glottochronology and lexicostatistics.
- Despite the outcry, glottochronology is still employed, but in mathematically increasingly complex and conceptually more sophisticated models.
- New methods in glottochronology provide logical and empirical proof that the second assumption is true.
- Unfortunately, the last published glottochronology for all the Caddoan languages dates to the 1960s, before the technique was refined.
Derivatives
adjective
Figure 1 presents a schematic version of present geographical distribution of the Nubian languages with the glottochronological dates inserted.
Example sentencesExamples
- These findings, and others which will in time be developed, will affect the method of glottochronological inquiry.
- This was predicted by Jane decades ago based on her glottochronological work with Tepiman and the larger Uto-Aztecan language family.
- As part of our study of Proto Indo European origins we have made glottochronological estimates of the separation of each European language group, Slavic, Celtic, Romance, etc., from each other.
- Glottochronological studies of the Oaxacan Indian groups indicate that the first diversification of this group of languages had begun by 4400 B.C.