1. Introduction
1.1 Preamble
1.2 The Family Tree Model
1.3 The Linguistic Item and Linguistic Pool
1.4 Levels and Diversity in the Linguistic Pool
1.5 Justification, Disguised as Apology
1.6 The Need for an Interdisciplinary Approach
2. Language Evolution: Basic Mechanisms
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Neutral Model
2.3 Problems with the Neutral Model
2.4 Additional Amplifiers
2.5 Summary and Conclusions
3. Language Evolution: Computer Simulations
3.1 Introduction
3.2 The Use of Computer Simulations
3.3 Methods
3.4 Basic Results
3.5 More Realistic Social Structures
3.6 Social Selection
3.7 Functional Selection
3.8 Discrete Traits
3.9 Discussion
3.10 Adaptive Significance of Social Selection
4. Language Diversity: Patterns in Space
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Quantifying Language Diversity
4.3 Vectors of Language Spread
4.4 Case Studies
4.5 Ecological Risk as a Universal Constraint
4.6 Testing the Theory: Methods
4.7 Testing the Theory: Results
4.8 Hunter-gatherers
4.9 Conclusions
5. Language Diversity: Changes in Time
5.1 Introduction
5.2 The Palaeolithic Equilibrium
5.3 The Neolithic Punctuation
5.4 The Neolithic Aftershock
5.5 The Industrial Punctuation
5.6 Prospect
6. Phylogenetic Diversity
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Lineages and Stocks
6.3 The Distribution of Stocks
6.4 Stocks and Time: Nichol's Model
6.5 Stocks and Time: An Alternative Model
6.6 Validating the Model
6.7 Conclusions
7. Structural Diversity
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Causes of Structural Diversity
7.3 Geographical Distribution of Structural Diversity
7.4 Case Study: Phonological Inventory and the Lexicon
7.5 Conclusions
Epilogue
Appendix - Global Language Diversity Data