Once again on methodology and argumentation in linguistics: Problems with the arguments for recasting Sino-Tibetan as “Trans-Himalayan”

Abstract

There have been challenges to the received view of the structure of the Sino-Tibetan language family. This is all well and good, as we should constantly challenge our most basic assumptions. In this paper I look at the arguments presented with a view to convincing us to change our conception of Sino-Tibetan and to change the name of the family to “Trans-Himalayan”, and find them less than convincing, due to problems of fact and argumentation.