This book provides a comprehensive cross-linguistic account of 98 typologically diverse minority languages in Southern China. A number of important parameters are analyzed based on rich case studies ranging from the Tibeto-Burman languages, Kam-Tai languages, Hmong-Mien languages, and Austroasiatic languages to the Austronesian Languages. Adopting a descriptive approach, Professor Li seeks to testify theories and principles underlying word order typology and generally considers how word order patterns relate to contact-induced variations. The book is of interest to scholars of linguistic typology as well as to researchers and students involved in ethnolinguistics, syntax, and sociolinguistics.