Phylogenic (evolutionary) trees (diagrams) have been used as a method of discerning gaps in histories, known events, and trends for about the past two centuries, and now, of course, the computer is mapping out phylogenic trees in the progress of genetics, historical linguistics, and even artifacts. Taken from a conference held at Cambridge in July 2004, these 16 papers describe the contributors' work in tracing the prehistory of languages in terms of classification and chronology. Subjects include using the Malagasy language to discern Malagasy history, scoping out the Indo-Uralic question, tracing Bantu, using the methods to figure out written language, and employing a stochastic model. Issues of chronology include radiation and network breaking in Polynesian languages, inference of divergence times, the particular challenges of Australian languages, and applying phylogenic methods in interdisciplinary studies. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
