ABSTRACT
The method of classification used in the Handbook of African languages is based on a technique devised for the purpose by the Linguistic Advisory Committee of the International African Institute. The starting-for the classification is not the large area but the individual language. Since the individual language is the basic unit of classification, it is necessary to determine exactly What this unit is. Basic units known to be related are grouped together into larger sections which have a linguistic significance, since the principal criteria of grouping are linguistic. In some cases, a Language or Dialect Cluster can be seen to belong to one of the Larger Units, while yet not sufficiently closely related to any other to form part of a Language Group. A Language Group may be found to display inter-relationship between its constituent basic units without forming part of any Larger Unit.
