LINGUIST List 7.948

Sat Jun 29 1996

Sum: Origin of Japanese

Editor for this issue: T. Daniel Seely <dseelyemunix.emich.edu>

Directory

1. Kojiro Nabeshima, The Origin of Japanese (Summary)

A long time ago, I asked about the origin of Japanese. Many people kindly
responded: Marc Picard, Allan C Wechsler, Karl Teeter, Polkekai, David
Solnit, Shigenori Wakabayashi, Jakob Dempsey, Francis Britto. 
In short, the Japanese syntax is similar to that of Korean (which many
argue a part of Altaic family) whereas the phonology is similar to
Austronesian, and its affiliation is still debated. 

References
Shibatani _The languages of Japan_ Cambridge U. Press, 1990
Paul Benedect _Japanese/Austro-Tai_
(its review by David Solnit in Language v.68.1 (March 1992)
Starostin _The Altaic problem and the origin of the Japanese_
(its review by Bernard Comrie in Language v. 69.4)
several articles by Roy Andrew Miller
Ono (Ohno/Oono), Susumu _Nihongo no ruutsu wa tamiiru da_
Samuel E. Miller _The Japanese Language Through Time_ Yale University
Press, (1987)
Petrie _The Genetic Affiliation of the Ainu Language_

Also there is a net called AltaiNet (listprocu.washington.edu)
(for subscribing, send message subscribe AltaiNet your name)

Thank you again.

Nabeshima