There is no apparent reason why we should feel bound by Swadesh's rules and procedure since his predilections and aims have grown so vast. It seems time to consider a revision of operational procedures for lexicostatistic studies on a more humble, solid, and limited basis.

I would propose, first, an abandonment of attempts at a universal lexical list, as intrinsically unachievable, and operationally inadequate in proportion as it is achieved.

I would propose, next, as the prime requirement for constitution of new basic lists, items whose forms show as high an empirical retention rate as possible. There would be no conceivable sense in going to the opposite extreme of selecting items whose forms are the most unstable. An attempted middle course might lead to devices like a 5000 -- word alphabetized dictionary from which every fiftieth word was selected.