Abstract
The relationship between the evolution of genes and languages has been studied for over three decades. These studies rely on the assumption that languages, as many other cultural traits, evolve in a gene-like manner, accumulating heritable diversity through time and being subjected to evolutionary mechanisms of change. In the present work we used genetic data to evaluate South American linguistic classifications. We compared discordant models of language classifications to the current Native American genome-wide variation using realistic demographic models analyzed under an Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) framework. Data on 381 STRs spread along the autosomes were gathered from the literature for populations representing the five main South Amerindian linguistic groups: Andean, Arawakan, Chibchan-Paezan, Macro-Jê, and Tupí. The results indicated a higher posterior probability for the classification proposed by J.H. Greenberg in 1987, although L. Campbell's 1997 classification cannot be ruled out. Based on Greenberg's classification, it was possible to date the time of Tupí-Arawakan divergence (2.8 kya), and the time of emergence of the structure between present day major language groups in South America (3.1 kya).
Highlights
The patterns of genetic and linguistic variation have been compared for over three decades
We propose realistic evolutionary models based on the Coalescent [17] and developed under a robust statistical framework, the Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC; [18,19])
We addressed three main questions: (a) Which language classification better fits the current South American genome-wide diversity? (b) How old are the interpopulation branch connections? and (c) Do the divergence dates between language groups, as estimated by genetic and linguistic data, agree?
Summary
The patterns of genetic and linguistic variation have been compared for over three decades These studies rely on the hypothesis that languages, as many other cultural traits, evolve in a gene-like manner, accumulating diversity through time and being subjected to evolutionary mechanisms of change [1,2]. It should be mentioned that language, as a culturally mediated trait, is transmitted horizontally (between unrelated individuals) in a Lamarckian way. This fact may lead to its undergoing a faster mutation rate and being subject to additional evolutionary forces [1,3,4,5]. Some important parameters, such as population size differences, demographic fluctuations, or gene flow among demes, were not considered [8,12,15,16]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
