Austro-Tai languages
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The term "Austro-Tai languages" refers to a hypothetical language superfamily proposed by Paul K. Benedict in 1942. This hypothesis suggests a connection between the Tai languages and various minority languages in mainland Southeast Asia, often referred to as Kadai languages.1
While Benedict's Austro-Tai hypothesis has garnered attention, it is not universally accepted by linguists. Other proposed connections, such as those linking Austronesian languages to Indo-European, Japanese, Papuan, or American Indian languages, are also largely speculative and lack widespread acceptance.1
The concept of "Austric languages," proposed by Wilhelm Schmidt in 1906, is another hypothetical superfamily that includes the Austroasiatic and Austronesian language families. This classification is also not generally accepted.2
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Austroasiatic languagesā¦China, together forming an āAustro-Taiā superfamily.
Read Moreā¦China, together forming an āAustro-Taiā superfamily.
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Austronesian languagesExternal relationshipsBenedict initiated the Austro-Tai hypothesis, a proposed connection between the Tai languages and various minority (Kadai) languages on the mainland of Southeast Asia. Other researchers have proposed connections with Japanese (as has Benedict himself), the Papuan languages of New Guinea, various American Indian languages, Chinese, and Ainu. Inā¦
Read MoreBenedict initiated the Austro-Tai hypothesis, a proposed connection between the Tai languages and various minority (Kadai) languages on the mainland of Southeast Asia. Other researchers have proposed connections with Japanese (as has Benedict himself), the Papuan languages of New Guinea, various American Indian languages, Chinese, and Ainu. Inā¦
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