GLOTTOCHRONOLOGY Meaning and
Definition
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Glottochronology is a linguistic method used to estimate the divergence or time depth between languages, particularly in relation to their common ancestry. It is a subfield of historical linguistics that attempts to quantify the rate of lexical change in languages over time.
The term "glottochronology" combines "glotto-" (related to language) and "-chronology" (related to time or dating). It was introduced in the mid-20th century by Morris Swadesh, an American linguist who developed the technique.
The glottochronological method involves the comparison of basic vocabulary items across languages to identify shared cognates or words with similar sound and meaning, such as words for basic body parts, kinship terms, or natural objects. By determining the percentage of cognate retention, linguists can estimate the time since the languages under study diverged from their common ancestor.
Glottochronology relies on the assumption that the rate of lexical change is relatively constant over time. Linguists assign a "core vocabulary" list of words that are less likely to change over generations and apply statistical calculations to estimate the time of divergence.
While glottochronology has been influential in historical linguistics, it also has its limitations. Factors such as language contact, borrowing, or rapid linguistic evolution in certain periods can challenge the accuracy of glottochronological estimates. Nevertheless, the method has been applied to various language families and proved useful in providing approximate chronological information about language evolution.
Common Misspellings for GLOTTOCHRONOLOGY
- flottochronology
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- Glottcronology
Etymology of GLOTTOCHRONOLOGY
The word "glottochronology" is derived from two Greek roots: "glotto" comes from the Greek word "glotta", meaning "tongue" or "language", and "chronology" comes from the Greek word "chronos", meaning "time". This combination reflects the meaning of the term, which refers to a linguistic method used to estimate the time that has passed since two languages diverged from a common ancestor.
Similar spelling word for GLOTTOCHRONOLOGY
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