A Lexicostatistical Study of the Khasian Languages: Khasi, Pnar, Lyngngam, and War

Authors:

K.S. Nagaraja , Paul Sidwell , Simon J. Greenhill

Citation:

Nagaraja KS, Sidwell P & Greenhill SJ. 2013. A Lexicostatistical Study of the Khasian Languages: Khasi, Pnar, Lyngngam, and War. Mon-Khmer Studies Journal, 42, 1-11.

Details:

Published: 5 May, 2013.

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Abstract:

This paper presents the results of lexicostatistical, glottochronological, and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of a 200 word data set for Standard Khasi, Lyngngam, Pnar and War. The present analysis supports both the strong identity of Khasian as a unitary branch, with an internally nested branching structure that fits neatly with known historical, geographical and linguistic facts. Additionally, lexically based dating methods suggest that the internal diversification of Khasian began roughly between 1500 and 2000 years ago.