ABSTRACT
When discussing typological characteristics of a genetically coherent group of languages, there are two points of view, an external and an internal one. Externally, the focus is on features which characterize the group as a whole vis-à-vis other language families or linguistic areas. Internally, the focus is on features which characterize one (typological) subgroup as opposed to another. The two points of view are obviously interrelated in that a complex internal typology – i.e. a group of languages differs with regard to a large number of features – usually makes it difficult, if not impossible, to reach significant external generalizations.
