Evaluating the Sino-Tibeto-Austronesian Hypothesis

Giorgio Orlandi (Xiamen University, Department of Humanities; thegaygenius@gmail.com)

Journal of Language Relationship, № 16/1-2, 2018 - p.1-18

Abstract: This paper analyses and evaluates the alleged genetic relationship between Sino-Tibetan and Austronesian, proposed by the French sinologist Laurent Sagart. The aim of the following paper is neither to prove, nor to disprove the Sino-Tibeto-Austronesian superphylum but to argue whether the data presented in favour of this proposed genetic relationship do or do not stand the scrutiny of a historical linguist. This paper also considers the hypothetical homeland of Proto-Sino-Tibeto-Austronesian people, with an eye towards competing hypotheses, such as Sino-Indo-European. It is concluded that Sagart’s approach may be insufficient for proof of controversial cases of disputed genetic relationship, given the non-obvious relatedness of the languages he is comparing.

Keywords: Sino-Tibeto-Austronesian hypothesis, Sino-Tibetan languages, genetic relationship of languages, comparative method

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