The rate of linguistic drift can be measured quantitatively

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

5 sources for · 0 against

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Is it true that the rate of linguistic drift can be measured quantitatively?

Yes. Multiple quantitative studies demonstrate that linguistic drift and lexical evolution can be reliably measured using statistical models, corpus data, and phylogenetic methods.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 5 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 4 Aug 2026

The analysis

The retrieved papers consistently apply quantitative methods (such as corpus analysis, statistical regression, and phylogenetic modeling) to measure rates of language change and lexical replacement, strongly supporting the claim.

Evidence for · 5

Frequency of word-use predicts rates of lexical evolution throughout Indo-European history

2007

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Pagel, M., Atkinson, Q., & Meade, A. (2007). Frequency of word-use predicts rates of lexical evolution throughout Indo-European history. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature06176

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More for · 4

Semantic Factors Predict the Rate of Lexical Replacement of Content Words

2016

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Vejdemo, S., Hörberg, T., & Komarova, N. (2016). Semantic Factors Predict the Rate of Lexical Replacement of Content Words. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0147924

Universals versus historical contingencies in lexical evolution.

2014

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V, B., V, S., V, S., & S, W. (2014). Universals versus historical contingencies in lexical evolution.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2014.0841

Chinese basic lexicon from a diachronic perspective: implications for lexicostatistics and glottochronology

2019

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Starostin, G. (2019). Chinese basic lexicon from a diachronic perspective: implications for lexicostatistics and glottochronology. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.31826/jlr-2019-171-213

Gradual Modifications and Abrupt Replacements: Two Stochastic Lexical Ingredients of Language Evolution

2023

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Pasquini, M., Serva, M., & Vergni, D. (2023). Gradual Modifications and Abrupt Replacements: Two Stochastic Lexical Ingredients of Language Evolution. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1162/coli_a_00471

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first checked04 Aug 2026

judged → SUPPORTED · 9204 Aug 2026

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