The reconstruction of Proto-Huastecan

The broad objective of this investigation is a phonological and lexical reconstruction of ProtoHuastecan,
the proto-language from which the Huastecan languages, Chicomuceltec and Huaslee,
are descended. The thesis outlines the probable sound changes that took place in the language's
evolution, from its beginnings in Proto-Mayan to its split into the two daughter languages. The
methodology employed to reconstruct Proto-Huastecan is the Comparative Method, the established
method of historical linguistic reconstruction. Because Chicomueeltee is extinct, and is recorded
only in sources which do not accurately represent its phonology, this study also encompasses the
philological interpretation of the Chicomucehec transcriptions. To place the reconstruction with in
the broader context of Huaslecun linguistic prehistory, an overview of scholarship pertaining to
Huastecan's placement in Mayan sub-grouping, and of the diversification of Chicomuceltec and
Huastec is also presented.