ABSTRACT

Language Isolates explores this fascinating group of languages that surprisingly comprise a third of the world’s languages.

Individual chapters written by experts on these languages examine the world's major language isolates and language isolates by geographic regions, with up-to-date descriptions of many, including previously unrecorded language isolates. Each language isolate represents a unique lineage and a unique window on what is possible in human language, making this an essential volume for anyone interested in understanding the diversity of languages and the very nature of human language.

Language Isolates is key reading for professionals and students in linguistics and anthropology.

chapter 1|18 pages

Language Isolates and their History

ByLyle Campbell

chapter 2|40 pages

Ancient Near Eastern and European Isolates

ByPiotr Michalowski

chapter 3|41 pages

Basque and the Reconstruction of Isolated Languages

ByJoseba A. Lakarra

chapter 4|17 pages

Ainu

ByThomas Dougherty

chapter 5|22 pages

Burushaski

ByAlexander D. Smith

chapter 6|23 pages

Other Isolated Languages of Asia

ByStefan Georg

chapter 7|31 pages

African Language Isolates

ByRoger Blench

chapter 8|36 pages

Language Isolates of North America

ByMarianne Mithun

chapter 9|31 pages

Language Isolates of Mesoamerica and Northern Mexico

ByRaina Heaton

chapter 10|27 pages

Language Isolates in South America

ByFrank Seifart, Harald Hammarström

chapter 11|36 pages

Language Isolates in the New Guinea Region

ByHarald Hammarström

chapter 12|21 pages

Language Isolates of Australia

ByClaire Bowern

chapter 13|28 pages

Endangerment of Language Isolates

ByEve Okura