"A definitive reference work on the classification of human languages with state-of-the-art freshness and great clarity."—Diachronica "It is interesting to read, is well documented and thorough, and is useful as a work of reference."—Modern Language Review

• Specialists consulted Abbreviations A note on notation Introduction 1. Genetic classification: principles and methods 2. Europe 3. Africa 4. Asia 5. Oceania 6. North and South America 7. Prospects for future research 8. Genetic classification of the world's languages Postscript 1991 Index of personal names Language group index Language index.