Investigations in item stability: In pursuit of the optimal meaning list for use in the initial stages of the comparative method

Research output: ThesisMaster's thesis

Abstract

The lack of a widely-accepted, objectively-defined standard list of ‘basic’
meanings for use in the initial stages of the comparative method is identified
as a priority in the resolution of areas of unnecessary subjectivity in historical
and comparative linguistics. A methodology is presented, capable of ranking
meanings by a score fully representative of the four features identified as
necessary for a meaning to be considered optimal for use in the initial
stages of language comparison: maximal item stability, maximal resistance
to replacement of form by borrowing, maximal conceptual simplicity, and
maximal universality. The stability of 67 meanings is quantified using
a procedure described, but not adequately implemented, by Dolgopolsky
(1986) and Lohr (1999); the results are integrated with Tadmor et al.’s (2010)
borrowed, analyzability, and representation scores, to form a composite
score by which the meanings are ranked. The resultant ranking, while
not representative of the definitive list of meanings optimal for use in the
initial stages of the comparative method, owing to the limitation on the
number of input meanings, demonstrates the viability of the methodology
presented here. Statistical results are presented to support the hypothesis
that there is a strongly significant relationship between item stability and
variation in stability; however, contrary to expectations and conflations
evident in the literature, no evidence is found to support the hypotheses
that there are strongly significant relationships between item stability and
item borrowability, analyzability of form, or item universality. Finally, the
results are used to test the validity of the glottochronological hypothesis of
a constant rate of replacement; no support whatsoever is found to support
this hypothesis.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationMaster of Science
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Cann, Ronnie, Supervisor, External person
  • Honeybone, Patrick, Supervisor, External person
Award date1 Aug 2013
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

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