What lies behind the widespread distribution of the Austronesian languages today? Some claim we must invoke an ancient cultural 'mutation' - the invention of agriculture - and a consequent prehistoric migration to account for it. But do we need a big story to explain this kind of big problem? What other sorts of stories would work as well or better?
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
John Edward Terrell (2004) studied this question.