Abstract
In cross-cultural analysis of alternate generation terminology, Aberle found that the merging of relations in the first ascending and descending generations implies the merging of relations in the second ascending and descending generations. He was, however, unable to explain this result and concluded that it was a finding in search of theory. Parkin has argued that alternate generation equivalence, despite its neglect in recent anthropological theory, is as important as the parity (cross/parallel) distinction in many kinship terminologies. Following Needham and Allen, respectively, he interprets alternation as fundamental mode of human thought and as correlate of symmetric prescriptive marriage systems. This article first suggests that Aberle's finding can be explained in cognitive-linguistic terms as marking effect. Second, it shows that alternate generation equations are associated with cognatic as well as prescriptive marriage systems. An explanation for this apparent anomaly is suggested ...
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