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Systematic Biology 2005 54(4):513-526; doi:10.1080/10635150590950317
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© 2005 Society of Systematic Biologists

Curious Parallels and Curious Connections—Phylogenetic Thinking in Biology and Historical Linguistics

Quentin D. Atkinson and Russell D. Gray

Department of Psychology, University of Auckland Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1020, New Zealand E-mail: rd.gray{at}auckland.ac.nz (R.D.G.)

Edited by Chris Simon: Associate Editor


  Abstract

In The Descent of Man (1871), Darwin observed "curious parallels" between the processes of biological and linguistic evolution. These parallels mean that evolutionary biologists and historical linguists seek answers to similar questions and face similar problems. As a result, the theory and methodology of the two disciplines have evolved in remarkably similar ways. In addition to Darwin's curious parallels of process, there are a number of equally curious parallels and connections between the development of methods in biology and historical linguistics. Here we briefly review the parallels between biological and linguistic evolution and contrast the historical development of phylogenetic methods in the two disciplines. We then look at a number of recent studies that have applied phylogenetic methods to language data and outline some current problems shared by the two fields.

Keywords: Comparative method; Darwin; evolution; historical linguistics; phylogeny; Schleicher

Received October 20, 2004; Revised November 24, 2004; Accepted November 24, 2004
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