# A phylogenetic classification of the Je language family

## TL;DR

This study uses quantitative methods to classify the Je language family, revealing three main subgroups and linking linguistic patterns to archaeological evidence.

## Contribution

The study applies Bayesian phylogenetic inference and NeighborNet to classify the Je language family, revealing new subgroup structures and their historical dynamics.

## Key findings

- The Je language family is divided into Northern, Central, and Southern subgroups with clear geographical clustering.
- Linguistic divergence patterns align with pre-Columbian archaeological evidence of cultural and geographic distributions.
- The study confirms the genetic coherence of the Je family and suggests future research with expanded datasets.

## Abstract

This study investigates the Je language family, addressing a significant gap in previous research by applying quantitative methods to its classification.

The dataset comprises 516 concepts from 14 languages, primarily sourced from Swadesh lists and culturally relevant terms, providing a robust foundation for phylogenetic analysis.

Bayesian phylogenetic inference and NeighborNet methods were employed to analyze the dataset. These approaches enabled the reconstruction of evolutionary relationships within the Je family, facilitating the identification of language divergence patterns and their historical dynamics.

The analysis reveals well-supported Northern, Central, and Southern subgroups within the Je family, demonstrating clear geographical clustering. The phylogenetic tree aligns with existing hypotheses while offering new insights into the family’s structure.

The findings were contextualized within pre-Columbian archaeological frameworks, drawing parallels between linguistic divergence and material culture. These connections support the hypothesis that the Macro-Je language family’s development aligns with distinct cultural and geographical distributions observed in archaeological records.

This study affirms the genetic coherence of the Je family and highlights opportunities for future research, including the incorporation of non-Je languages and expanded datasets to refine the understanding of this diverse linguistic group.

This study examines the Je language family using quantitative methods to improve its genetic classification. Researchers analyzed 516 words from 14 languages, mostly from Swadesh lists and culturally important terms, to trace their historical relationships. By applying Bayesian phylogenetic inference and NeighborNet methods, they identified patterns of language divergence and subgroup connections.

The findings align linguistic changes with archaeological evidence, suggesting that the evolution of the Je family reflects historical cultural and geographic patterns. The study confirms the existence of Northern, Central, and Southern subgroups within the Je family, reinforcing previous research while offering new insights. The results also support the genetic unity of the Je family and highlight future research directions, such as including more languages and expanding the dataset for a deeper understanding.