tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005668431384229268.post6464075093902055570..comments2024-03-11T18:46:56.863+11:00Comments on New England's History: The origins of Pama-Nyungan - a note on the implications for the history of New England's Aboriginal peoplesJim Belshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005668431384229268.post-46352557329958541802018-03-16T08:29:02.793+11:002018-03-16T08:29:02.793+11:00cape York is included, John. Those are the green p...cape York is included, John. Those are the green pins. But you are right. The reason why there was a dividing line has always puzzled me. I haven't read the full paper, so I'm not sure what supporting non-linguistic evidence is included. <br /><br />The very rough model that I have used before is the sheet of graph paper where each square represents a local form of speech. Within a language group there will be language chains covering multiple squares with language gradients across the squares reflecting distance. People in adjoining squares will normally be able to communicate with each other unless there is some cultural barrier that reduces contact. You get a process of change over time as words drop out of use, new words are added. <br /><br />The archaeological evidence does seem to suggest that trade and contact are related to the pattern of language distribution. Now how all this fits together and with these latest suggestions? Picture of deep thought! <br />Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3005668431384229268.post-67313045693298699922018-03-15T18:25:17.299+11:002018-03-15T18:25:17.299+11:00A curiosity for me Jim is in accepting its finding...A curiosity for me Jim is in accepting its findings you have to ask why a language originating in the Burketown area only spread in a co tine tal line South. Cape York, the Kimberleys and greater Arnhem Land, which are all roughly adjacent to source, remained unaffected. Trade or conquest are the usual transmission routes for culture and language, I would think some empirical evidence will be useful to support the propositions set out in this paper.Johnbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09694479587834247002noreply@blogger.com