The degree of differentiation

[X99Lynx at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/4/00 8:15:15 AM, JoatSimeon at aol.com wrote:

<<This just isn't possible, according to everything we know about linguistics
and have observed of the process of linguistic change.  The degree of
differentiation observable in the early recorded IE languages is just
incompatible with a common origin in the early neolithic; so is the nature of
the PIE vocabulary.>>

I'm still waiting for you to tell us how you measure this critical and all
important "degree of differentiation," that "we" are using with such thorough
confidence.  Ah, if only carbon 14 and nitrogen isotopes could yield such
precision.

Do you count the number of vowel changes in the word for fire and multiply
them by 500 years or something like that?  Or is a laser involved?

In a message dated 2/8/00 4:20:02 AM, JoatSimeon at aol.com wrote:

<<The basic principle of science is uniformitarianism; in this specific
instance, we must assume that linguistic behavior in prehistory covered
roughly the same range as it does in historic times.  That, of course, is
precisely the principle that Renfrew violates.>>

Let's be clear about this.  What you have consistently offered has had very
little or nothing to do with the principles of science.

I can't speak for Colin Renfrew, but let me say on my own that you've shown
absolutely nothing about how you supposedly measure linguistic behavior in
historic times BUT you have insisted to a fare-thee-well that you somehow
magically know how much time it takes for languages to differentiate in
prehistoric times.  This is not science.  This is hoodoo.

No, I change my mind.  I now feel that your evaluations of "degree of
differentiation" in languages should be promptly gathered and sent to the
Journal of Irreproducible Results, where I'm sure many others will learn to
apply your precision methods to calculate such matters as the time of
separation between Dutch and Flemish scientifically demanded by your
precision "degree of differentiation" formula.

Regards,
Steve Long