Noun
comparative method (plural not attested)
(linguistics) A technique for studying the development of languages by performing a feature-by-feature comparison of two or more languages with a common ancestor.
Consequently, its prehistory may not be reconstructible by means of the traditional comparative method except by applying it to differences between dialects within the language. Source: Internet
He believed that multilateral comparison was not in any way opposed to the comparative method, but is, on the contrary, its necessary first step (Greenberg, 1957:44). Source: Internet
Application of the comparative method will show partly different genetic relationships. Source: Internet
It is not phonetic similarity which matters when utilizing the comparative method, but regular sound correspondences. Source: Internet
Linguists working with other families soon followed suit, and the comparative method quickly became the established method for uncovering linguistic relationships. Source: Internet
Most attempted classifications are problematic in that they consider only languages that happen to fall within traditional Narrow Bantu, rather than South Bantoid, which has been established as a unit by the comparative method. Source: Internet