Political complexity predicts the spread of ethnolinguistic groups

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences • Vol/Iss. 106(18) • National Academy of Sciences • Washington, D.C • Published In • Pages: 7339-7344 •
By Currie, Thomas E., Mace, Ruth

Abstract

The researchers utilize a GIS approach in order to examine the relationship between global linguistic distribution and various cultural and environmental factors. The resulting positive association between political complexity and both latitude and language range leads the researchers to propose that large, politically complex entities exert a homogenizing pressure on language. However, the causal link may also be in the other direction, with possession of common language facilitating the creation of more complex political institutions.
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: jack.dunnington