This book is the first full evaluation of the Proto-Australian hypothesis, which proposes that most Australian languages have a common ancestor: Proto-Australian [PA]. Using the standard methodologies of historical linguistics, the authors show that nearly all Australian languages descend from PA. Given that PA was a single language, it was spoken only in a small area of Australia. Its descendants have spread across the continent. Current theories of language spread do not offer clear motivations for large-scale spread in hunter-gatherer economies. This raises significant questions for analyses of Australian prehistory and archaeology specifically, and more widely for general theories of hunter-gatherer prehistory and language spread.

This book is written more for the practitioner than the casual reader. Although a high mathematical level is not needed, for much of the material some engineering knowledge is desirable. Noise control is not easy and there are no magic answers to problems. Careful study and patience are required to produce proficiency in the field of noise control.

Designed to accompany A Grammar of the Hittite Language, Part 1: Reference Grammar, this tutorial guides language learners through a series of graded lessons with illustrative sentences for translation drawn from actual Hittite texts. The tutorial is keyed to the reference grammar and provides extensive and updated notes, a vocabulary list for each lesson, and a comprehensive glossary.