Patterns of Linguistic Diffusion in Space and Time: The Case of Mazatec

Abstract

In the framework of complexity theory, which provides a unified framework for natural and social sciences, we study the complex and interesting problem of the internal structure, similarities, and differences between the Mazatec dialects, an endangered Otomanguean language spoken in south-east Mexico. The analysis is based on some databases, which are used to compute linguistic distances between the dialects. The results are interpreted in the light of linguistics as well as statistical considerations and used to infer the history of the development of the observed pattern of diversity.