A phylogenetic analysis of the evolution of Austronesian sibling terminologies

Human Biology • Vol/Iss. 83(2) • Wayne State University Press • • Published In • Pages: 83(2) •
By Jordan, Fiona M.

Hypothesis

Opposite-sex distinction in Austronesian sibling terminologies will develop when no such distinction previously existed.

Note

The results show that proto-Austronesian languages had an initial absence of relative-sex distinction. Subsequently, they acquired a single term referring to "opposite-sex sibling," and later, this single term evolved into two distinct terms (such as "woman's brother"). Importantly, the transition from absence to a two-term situation were infrequent and sometimes non-existent. The inverse transition from two distinct terms back to the single "opposite-sex sibling" term was very unlikely.

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Bayesian phylogenetic comparative methodsSupported95% HPDUNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Types of Opposite-Sex DistinctionsDependentKinship Terminology