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��INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AMERICAN LINGUISTICS

��VOL. I

��of complexity. Where in two or more dialects the same principle is employed for the forma- tion of plural-diminutives, we have a criterion for a very close affiliation. This is the case in Clallam and Lkungen, as well as in Thompson and Shuswap. It is obvious that when we shall have sufficient material from all the dia- lects, the plural-diminutives will be of con-

��siderable importance for a refined grouping of the dialects with indications for the degrees of their linguistic affiliations. And as products of comparatively recent developments they will also be of general interest from the point of view of understanding the linguistic pro- cesses of local differentiation and of inter- dialectic borrowing.

��COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK CITY

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