Long-range comparisons and word roots decay. A statistical assessment on the reliability of long-range comparisons
Long-range comparisons and word roots decay. A statistical assessment on the reliability of long-range comparisons

Summary/Abstract: The article takes into discussion the reliability of long-range comparison and of linguistic comparisons generally. The article also studies the mass comparison versus the classic arborescent taxonomy. After taking into account the factor of chance in linguistic comparison, the author discusses parameters in which long-range comparison remains possible. He discusses a widespread radical for the meaning “we” in different proto-languages, and the possibility that this comparison be meaningful and falsifiable.

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