An Introduction
to the
Languages of the World
Anatole V. Lyovin
New York
Oxford
Oxford University Press
1997
Contents
List of Abbreviations
CHAPTER 1 CLASSIFICATION OF LANGUAGES
xvii
1
Genetic Classification, 1
Genetic Subgrouping, 5
Typological Classification of Languages, 12
Sociolinguistic Classification, 23
Exercises, 24
Selected Bibliography, 27
CHAPTER 2 CLASSIFICATION OF WRITING SYSTEMS
29
Typological Classification, 29
Genetic Classification of Writing Systems, 36
Exercises, 42
Selected Bibliography, 43
CHAPTER 3 LANGUAGES OF EUROPE
I. Indo-European, II. Uralic, III. Languages of the Caucasus,
IV. Basque, V. Turkic
45
XII
CONTENTS
Sketch of Russian, 61
Sketch of Finnish, 78
Exercises, 101
Notes, 104
Selected Bibliography, 105
CHAPTER 4 LANGUAGES OF ASIA
109
I. Turkic, II. Mongolian, III. Tungusic, IV. Korean-JapaneseOkinawan, V. Ainu, VI. Paleosiberian, VII. Sino-Tibetan,
VIII. Hmong-Mien (Miao-Yao), IX. Tai-Kadai, X. Austronesian,
XI. Austroasiatic, XII. Dravidian, XIII. Burushaski, XIV. AfroAsiatic, XV. Indo-European, XVI. Uralic, XVII. Eskimo-Aleut
Sketch of Mandarin Chinese, 127
Sketch of Classical Tibetan, 146
Exercises, 173
Notes, 179
Selected Bibliography, 180
CHAPTER 5 LANGUAGES OF AFRICA
185
I. Afro-Asiatic (Afrasian) Family, II. Nilo-Saharan (NiloSahelian) Family, III. Niger-Congo Family, IV. Khoisan
Family, V. Austronesian, VI. Indo-European
Sketch of Modem Literary Arabic, 201
Sketch of Swahili, 217
Exercises, 236
Notes, 241
Selected Bibliography, 241
CHAPTER 6 LANGUAGES OF OCEANIA
245
I. Austronesian, II. Papuan Languages, III. Australian
Sketch of Hawaiian, 257
Sketch of Dyirbal, 282
Exercises, 302
Notes, 305
Selected Bibliography, 306
CHAPTER 7 NATIVE LANGUAGES OF THE AMERICAS
309
A. LANGUAGES OF NORTH AMERICA, 310
I. Eskimo-Aleut Family, IIA. Na-Dene Family, IIB. Haida Isolate,
HI. Algonquian-Ritwan Family, IV. Muskogean Family, V. Natchez
Isolate, VI. Atakapa Isolate, VII. Chitimacha Isolate, VIII. Tunica
Isolate, IX. Tonkawa Isolate, X. Siouan Family, XI. Iroquoian
Family, XII. Caddoan Family, XIII. Yuchi Isolate, XIV. Yuman
CONTENTS
XIII
Family, XV. Seri Isolate, XVI. Pomoan Family, XVII. Palaihnihan
Family, XVIII. Shastan Family, XIX. Yanan Family, XX. Chimariko
Isolate, XXI. Washo Isolate, XXII. Salinan Family, XXIII. Karok
Isolate, XXIV. Chumashan Family, XXV. Cotoname Isolate,
XXVI. Comecrudo Isolate, XXVII. Coahuilteco Isolate,
XXVIII. Aranama-Tamique Isolate, XXIX. Solano Isolate,
XXX. Esselen Isolate, XXXI. Jicaque Family, XXXII. SubtiabaTlapanec Family, XXXIII. Tequistlatecan Family, XXXIV. Yokuts
Family, XXXV. Maiduan Family, XXXVI. Wintuan Family,
XXXVII. Miwok Family, XXXVIII. Costanoan Family,
XXXIX. Klamath-Modoc Isolate, XL. Sahaptian Family,
XLI. Cayuse Isolate, XLII. Molala Isolate, XLIII. Coos Family,
XLIV. Alsea Isolate, XLV. Siuslaw-Lower Umpqua Isolate,
XLVI. Takelma Isolate, XLVII. Kalapuya Family, XLVIII. Chinookan
Family, XLIX. Tsimshian Isolate, L. Zuni Language Isolate,
LI. Kiowa-Tanoan Family, LII. Uto-Aztecan Family, LIII. Keresan
Family, LIV. Yukian Family, LV. Beothuk Isolate, LVI. Kutenai
Isolate, LVII. Karankawa Isolate, LVIII. Chimakuan Family,
LIX. Salish Family, LX. Wakashan Family, LXI. Timucua Isolate,
LXII. Adai Isolate
B. LANGUAGES OF MESO-AMERICA, 327
I. Oto-Manguean Family, II. Tbtonocan Family, III. Mixe-Zoquean
Family, IV. Mayan Family, V. Tarascan Isolate, VI. Cuitlatec Isolate,
VII. Tequistlatec Isolate, VIII. Huave Isolate, IX. Xincan Isolate
C. LANGUAGES OF SOUTH AMERICA, 333
A. Northwestern Region, 334
I. Yurimangi Language, II. Timotean Family, III. Hiraharan Family,
IV. Choko Language Area, V. Betoi Language, VI. Paesan Substock,
VII. Barbakoan Family, VIII. Chibchan (Sub)stock, IX. Misumalpa
Family, X. Kamsa Language
B. Western Amazonia I, 335
XI. Tiniwan Family, XII. Otomakoan Family, XIII. Wamo Language,
XIV. Chapakuran Family, XV. Wahivoan Family, XVI. Maipurean
(Sub)stock, XVII. Arawan Family, XVIII. Haraianbut Language
Area
C. Western Ammonia II, 338
XIX. Puinavean Stock, XX. Katukfnan Family, XXI. Tekiraka
Language, XXII. Kanichana Language, XXIII. Tiikanoan Stock,
XXIV. Tikuna Language, XXV. Juri Language, XXVI. Munichi
Language
D. Northern Foothills Region, 339
XXVII. Ezmeralda Language, XXVIII. Jaruro Language,
XXIX. Kofan Language, XXX. Kandoshi Language, XXXI. Hfvaro
XIV
CONTENTS
Language Area, XXXII. Kawapanan Family, XXXIII. Saparoan
Family, XXXIV. Yawan Family, XXXV. Omurano Language,
XXXVI. Sabela Language, XXXVII. Urarina Language,
XXXVIII. B6ran Family, XXXIX. Wit6toan Family, XL. Andoke
Language,
E. Andes Region, 341
XLI. Chinuian Family, XLII. Chol6nan Family, XLIII. Kulyi
Language, XLIV. Sechura Language, XLV. Katakaban Family,
XLVI. Leko Language, XLVII. Kechua Language Complex,
XLVIII. Haki (Jaquf) Language Complex, XLIX. Chipaya Language
Area, L. Pukina Language, LI. Kolyawaya Jargon
F. Southern Foothills Region, 342
LII. Yurakare Language, LIII. Panoan Family, LIV. Takanan Family,
LV. Mosetdn Language Area, LVI. Chon Family
- G. The Cone, 344
LVII. Yamana Language, LVIII. Kaweskar Language Area,
LIX. Mapudungu Language (Area), LX. Puelche Language,
LXI. Warpe Language Area
H. Chaco Region, 345
\
LXII. Matalcoan Family, LXIII. Waikunian Family, LXIV. Charruan
Family, LXV. Lule Language, LXVI. Vilela Language,
LXVII. Mask6ian Family, LXVIII. Samukoan Family,
LXIX. Gorgotoki Language
I. Eastern Brazil, 346
LXX. Chikitano Language, LXXI. Bor6roan Family, LXXII. Aimore1
Language Complex, LXXIII. Rikbaktsa Language, LXXIV. Je or Ge
Stock, LXXV. Jeik6 Language, LXXVI. Kamakanan Family,
LXXVII. Mashakalfan Family, LXXVIII. Purian Family,
LXXIX. Fulnid Language, LXXX. Karaja Language Area,
LXXXI. Ofay6 Language, LXXXII. Guat6 Language, LXXXIII. Otf
Language, LXXXIV. Baena Language, LXXXV. Kakurd Language
]. Northeastern Brazil, 348
LXXXVI. Katembri Language, LXXXVII. Karirf Language (Area),
LXXXVIII. Tusha Language, LXXXIX. Pankarani Language,
XC. Natu Language, XCI. Shukuni Language, XCII. Gamela
Language, XCIII. Wamod Language, XCIV. Tarairiu Language,
XCV. Shokd Language
K. Centra! Amazonia, 349
XCVI. Mtiran Family, XCVII. Matanawf Language,
XCVIII. Itonama Language, XCIX. Kunsa Language, C. Kapishana
Language, CI. Jabutfan Family, CII. Koaya Language, CM. Aikana
Language, CIV. Nambikuara Family, CV. Iranshe Language,
CONTENTS
XV
CV1. Trumai Language, CVII. Movima Language, CVIII. Kayuvava
Language, CIX. Tupian Stock
L. Northern Amazonia, 352
CX. Kariban Family, CXI. Yanomaman Family, CXII. Warao
Language, CXIII. Taruma Language, CXIV. Salivan Family,
CXV. Awake Language, CXVI. Kaliana Language, CXVII. Maku
Language, CXVIII. Hoti Language
Sketch ofYup'ik Eskimo, 354
Sketch of Ayacucho Quechua, 364
Exercises, 393
Notes, 396
Selected Bibliography, 397
CHAPTER 8 PIDGIN AND CREOLE LANGUAGES
401
What Are Pidgins and Creoles?, 401
Contact Languages of the World, 410
Sketch of Tok Pisin, 416
Exercises, 434
Selected Bibliography, 436
APPENDIX: LANGUAGE MAPS
439
I. Indo-European Languages, II. Uralic Languages, III. PoliticoLinguistic Divisions in the Caucasus, IV. Distribution of South
Caucasian Languages, V. Distribution of South Asian Languages,
VI. Distribution of Austroasiatic Languages, VII. Sino-Tibetan
Languages, VIII. Sinitic Languages and Dialects, liX. Distribution of
Tai Languages, X. Turkic Languages, XL Distribution of Mongolian
and Tungusic Languages of China and Mongolia, XII. Distribution
of Siberian Languages, XIII. Languages of Africa, XIV. Austronesian
Languages, XV. Australian Languages, XVI. Native Languages of
North America, XVII. Native Languages of Meso-America,
XVIII. Some Major Groups of South American Native Languages,
XIX. Quechua Languages
Bibliography
Language Index
Subject Index
457
473
484