This book addresses controversial issues in the application of the comparative method to the languages of Australia which have recently come to international prominence. Are these languages ‘different’ in ways that challenge the fundamental assumptions of historical linguistics? Can subgrouping be successfully undertaken using the Comparative Method? Is the genetic construct of a far-flung ‘Pama-Nyungan’ language family supportable by classic methods of reconstruction? Contrary to increasingly established views of the Australian scene, this book makes a major contribution to the demonstration that traditional methods can indeed be applied to these languages. These studies, introduced by chapters on subgrouping methodology and the history of Australian linguistic classification, rigorously apply the comparative method to establishing subgroups among Australian languages and justifying the phonology of Proto-Pama-Nyungan. Individual chapters can profitably be read either for their contribution to Australian linguistic prehistory or as case studies in the application of the comparative method.

Table of contents

Acknowledgements vii Map viii Contributor’s addresses ix Foreword Lyle Campbell xi Introduction: subgrouping methodology in historical linguistics Claire Bowern and Harold Koch 1 A methodological history of Australian linguistic classification Harold Koch 17 Pama-Nyungan as a genetic entity Luisa Miceli 67 The coherence and distinctiveness of the Pama-Nyungan language family within the Australian linguistic phylum Geoffrey O’Grady and Kenneth L. Hale 77 Pama-Nyungan: phonological reconstruction and status as a phylogenetic group Barry Alpher 105 The Arandic subgroup of Australian languages Harold Koch 143 The Ngumpin-Yapa subgroup Patrick McConvell and Mary Laughren 169 Thura-Yura as a subgroup Jane Simpson and Luise Hercus 197 The Yarli languages Luise Hercus and Peter Austin 227 Evolution of the verb conjugations in the Ngarna languages Gavan Breen 245 Diagnostic similarities and differences between Nyulnyulan and neighbouring languages Claire Bowern 295 Revisiting Proto-Mirndi Ian Green and Rachel Nordlinger 319 Stem forms and paradigm reshaping in Gunwinyguan Brett Baker 343 Combined references 375 Language index 397 Subject index 405 Appendices 409