Comparative Method

Question 1

How do we know words are cognates?

Answer 1

Look at:
Words w/ same meanings
Words unlikely to have been borrowed

Question 2

Sound change plausibility

Answer 2

Sounds are more likely to be deleted than inserted
Sounds are more likely to be palatized b4 front vowels
Sounds are more likely to be voiced between vowels

Question 3

Majority Rule

Answer 3

Choose sound that is most common