what is the austronesian theory?

Question

What does it say about the Asian past?

Answer 1

As far as I can tell, the Austronesian Theory is a migration theory based on the similarity of languages in Southeast Asia. Here's what I could find.

The Austronesian Theory of Migration proves to be one of the most palpable reasons for the interconnection of cultures within Southeast Asia. This unity within a cluster of cultures could be attributed to several criteria: 1.membership in a family of languages; 2. shared Great Tradition; and 3. similar responses to a common physical environment (Zialcita). According to Encarta Reference Library, Austronesian Languages, formerly called Malayo-Polynesian languages, is one of the world's largest language families, both in terms of numbers of languages—more than 700—and geographic spread—covering islands and some mainland areas from Madagascar in the west to Easter Island and Hawaii in the east. Included in this family of languages is Tagalog, from which the Filipino language is mainly based. Fernando N. Zialcita, in his article from Solidarity “The Wood-and-Stone Houses and Its Southeast Asian Cousins” have already stressed on how the idea of a single Great Tradition could recapitulate the similarities between the cultural features of Southeast Asian countries. This could be accredited for the way by which these societies use ornamentations, treat spaces, and ultimately design their structures. The similarity of climate within this region—tropical—is also an important reason to be recognized for the resemblances with which houses are built. Most notable is the house on stilts and all its other features which is a direct response to the tropical environment.

Answer 2

Austronesian Migration