Re: [tied] NEW GUINEA: WHOLLY NEW LANGUAGES

From: x99lynx@...
Message: 20249
Date: 2003-03-23

"John" <jdcroft@...> wrote:
<<Given that amongst many tribes, male initiation cults encourage the
development of a wholly new language limited to one's age mates (and
unintelligable to one's elders) - the speed with which new languages develop
can be put down to more factors than lack of markets, geographic isolation or
shifting subsistence lifestyles.>>

I am sorry, John, but I have to ask you where this practice (the development
of a wholly new language by male initiation cults) is reported? And where it
is reported to be in any way widespread and have any relationship to language
diversity in New Guinea?

Steve Long