The algorithm takes as only input a llst of words, preferably but not necessarily in phonemic transcription, in any two putatively related languages, and sorts it into decreasing order of probable cognatlon. The processing of a 250-1tem bilingual list takes about five seconds of CPU time on a DEC KLI091, and requires 56 pages of core memory. The algorithm is given no information w h a t s o e v e r about the phonemic transcription .used, and even though cognate i d e n t i f i c a t i o n is carried.
