The Methods and Purposes of Linguistic Genetic Classification

This paper discusses three questions relating to genetic classification. First, regarding the criterion problem, it concerns the nature of the linguistic resemblances and distinguishes the different properties and characteristics of typological classification, areal classification and genetic classification. Secondly, with regard to the methodological problem, it discusses several principles of genetic classification and considers both the positive application and the limit of the three methods of genetic classification, namely comparative method, multilateral comparison and glottochronology. Finally, with regard to the justification problem, by comparing the genetic classification with both the other two classifications and other fields of knowledge, it provides explanations why genetic classification has had a central and unique position in linguistics.