Discusses and critiques the ideas presented in Joseph H. Greenberg's 1987 book, "Language in the Americas." The book has been greeted with dismay by many specialists in Amerindian linguistics. (38 references) (JL)

Presents a cross-linguistic survey showing that personal pronouns with first person "n" and second person "m" have an extensive yet restricted geographical range limited to the western Americas. Findings indicate that the "n:m" pronouns reflect a single, datable, noninitial, and nonterminal phase in the settlement of…