Germanic Phylogeny

Abstract

This book is a computational re-evaluation and concluding examination of the genealogical relations between the early Germanic languages and their diversification from their most recent common ancestor Proto-Germanic. Further, this book presents a novel computational approach to the problem of linguistic diversification based on agent-based simulation of speech communities over time. This approach, presented alongside traditional phylogenetic inference, is based on wave-like linguistic diversification processes in geographically defined areas and can be modelled with agent-based approaches. The results of this study validate findings by previous research, generate new insights and shed light on debated issues. It further argues that the break-up of Germanic can be understood as a gradual disintegration process in which tree-like branching events are rare. Above all this is true for the eastern part of the Germanic-speaking area and West Germanic.