Descriptive Linguistics

Language and the human past

At LUCL, researchers aim to contribute to a comprehensive and informed perspective on the human past.

The study of the human past is a fascinating research endeavour, shaped by many different disciplines. History, archaeology, and genetics are just some examples of these disciplines. The field of linguistics also offers a unique perspective on the human past. 

Working together

Experts engaged in comparative and descriptive research work together to form a unique academic landscape at LUCL, covering

• a large geographic scope (South America, Africa, Europe, Central Asia and Southeast Asia) 
• a variety of research methods (ranging from detailed linguistics reconstruction to large-scale typology) 

We also work together with population geneticists, geographers and anthropologists. In this way we hope to create a maximally-informed perspective on the human past.