Totozoquean

Issue Date: 
2011-07
Date Created: 
2009 to 2010
Publisher: 
The University of Chicago Press
Is Part Of Series: 
International Journal of American Linguistics, 77 (3): 323-372
Abstract: 
This paper uses the comparative method of historical linguistics to investigate the hypothesis that languages of two well-established families of Mesoamerica, Totonacan and Mixe-Zoquean, are related in a larger genetic grouping dubbed Totozoquean. Proposed cognate sets comparing words reconstructed for Proto-Totonacan (PTn) and Proto-Mixe-Zoquean (PMZ) show regular sound correspondences attesting to the descent of these two languages from Proto-Totozoquean (PTz). Identification of sound correspondences facilitates reconstruction of PTz’s phonological inventory and vocabulary. The PMZ words used in the comparison are from Wichmann (1995). The PTn words are reconstructed by the authors, who provide the Totonacan cognate sets on which these reconstructions are based, as well as discussion of the classification and phonological history of Totonacan languages. Evidence is cited indicating that Totozoquean is comparable to Indo-European in chronological depth.
Publication Status: 
Published
Country: 
Mexico
Content Language: 
Work Type: 
Nature of Work: 
Entry Number: 
49110