N. J. Enfield is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Sydney. His publications include Linguistic Epidemiology (2003), 'Areal linguistics and mainland Southeast Asia' (Annual Review of Anthropology, 2005), A Grammar of Lao (2007), Dynamics of Human Diversity (2011) and Languages of Mainland Southeast Asia (co-authored with Bernard Comrie, 2015). He is working on a reference grammar of Kri, a Vietic language spoken in Laos.

'This is a must-read for linguists working on the languages of Southeast Asia, and anyone interested in an insightful and instructive overview of this important linguistic area.' Robert Dixon, James Cook University, Australia

• List of Figures; List of Maps; List of Tables; Preface; 1. Context; 2. Language Histories and Classifications; 3. Typological Overview; 4. Phonological systems; 5. Word formation; 6. Reference and Nominal Syntax; 7. Predication and Clausal Syntax; Postface; References; Index.

N. J. Enfield is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Sydney. His publications include Linguistic Epidemiology (2003), 'Areal linguistics and mainland Southeast Asia' (Annual Review of Anthropology, 2005), A Grammar of Lao (2007), Dynamics of Human Diversity (2011) and Languages of Mainland Southeast Asia (co-authored with Bernard Comrie, 2015). He is working on a reference grammar of Kri, a Vietic language spoken in Laos.

'This is a must-read for linguists working on the languages of Southeast Asia, and anyone interested in an insightful and instructive overview of this important linguistic area.' Robert Dixon, James Cook University, Australia

• List of Figures; List of Maps; List of Tables; Preface; 1. Context; 2. Language Histories and Classifications; 3. Typological Overview; 4. Phonological systems; 5. Word formation; 6. Reference and Nominal Syntax; 7. Predication and Clausal Syntax; Postface; References; Index.