Re: IE dialects vs. languages - A Survey? (was : My version)

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, Petr Hrubis <petr.hrubis@...> wrote:

>
> 2009/2/20 Brian M. Scott <BMScott@...>:
> > That depends entirely on how one chooses to define
> > 'language', and I doubt whether a useful, purely linguistic
> > definition is possible.
> >
> > Brian
>
> That's precisely my point.
>
> I suggest that we carry out a survey.
>
> Since phonological, morphological, syntactical and other features are
> too language-specific, I think we could start with Swadesh list,
> leaving aside the controversial status of lexicostatistical methods
> for a while at the same time.
>
> Any suggestions, opinions, comments as to the format, purpose and
> usefulness of the survey? ;-)
>

Just that I don't think my opinions on this matter will meet the
standards required of such a survey (basis for opinion, evidence,
statistics, historical knowledge), so I probably won't be taking it or
contributing to its design.

Andrew