Time depth, convergence theory, and innovation in proto-indo-european : 'Old Europe' as a PIE linguistic area

Abstract

In this paper the language/farming dispersal hypothesis for the distribution of the Indo-European languages is revisited, taking into account recent work in historical linguistics in the field of convergence theory, and recent re-evaluations concerning the place of the Anatolian languages within the Indo-European family. The importance of time depth within Proto-Indo-European is stressed, and the possibilities of regions where a real convergence will have taken place is underlined. It is proposed that one such convergence area during the later neolithic and chalcolithic periods was the region originally defined by Marija Gimbutas as 'Old Europe', although she would not have been happy with the proposal that this represents already a developped phase of Proto-Indo-European. An outline of the internal relationships among the subfamilies of the Indo-European language family is offered, on the basis of the historical scenario adopted. It is suggested that this view may conform more effectively with the family relationships within Indo-European than have earlier proposals

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