What is the greenberg hypothesis?

Answer 1

The Greenberg Hypothesis, proposed by linguist Joseph Greenberg, suggests that languages can be classified into genetic groups based on shared features and historical relationships. Greenberg argued that by analyzing linguistic characteristics, one can identify relationships among languages that may not be immediately apparent through traditional comparative methods. This approach led to the identification of language families and the establishment of a broader understanding of language evolution and migration. His work has had a significant impact on the fields of linguistics and anthropology.