[21] Goddard has countered that the extent of the similarities would require extensive diffusion very early in the breakup of the Eastern Algonquian languages and that such a position would be difficult in principle to differentiate from analyzing PEA as a genetic subgroup.

The amount of evidence for each subgrouping varies, and the incomplete record for many parts of the Eastern Algonquian area makes interpretation of relations between the languages difficult.

At the same time the Southern New England languages (discussed below) share significant similarities, indicating a closer degree of relationship between them.

[24] The proposed Abenakian subdivision comprises Eastern and Western Abenaki as well as Maliseet-Passamaquoddy; several phonological innovations are shared by the three languages.

[7] Costa, largely following Siebert, proposes that the following languages are assigned to SNEA: Massachusett, Narragansett, Mohegan-Pequot-Montauk (probably also including Western and Niantic), Quiripi-Naugatuck, Unquachog, and Loup A.

[29] As well, refining a proposal made by Siebert, Costa adduces evidence indicating an east-west split with the SNEA subgroup.

On both phonological and lexical grounds, a distinction within SNEA can be made between a Western SNEA group consisting of the languages of central and Eastern Long Island, Connecticut and southern Rhode Island: Mohegan-Pequot-Montauk, Quiripi-Naugatuck, and Unquachog; and an Eastern group consisting of Massachusett and Narragansett.

[2] Efforts to preserve and revive the Eastern Algonquian language and culture are being undertaken by a group called the Medicine Singers[33] (aka 'Eastern Medicine Singers')[34][35] in cooperation with a number of kindred tribes and tribal members, the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust[36] (partly administered by Darryl Jamieson),[37] theater and educational company Atelier Jaku,[38] record labels Joyful Noise Recordings[39] and Stone Tapes, and producer Yonatan Gat (founder and curator of Stone Tapes).

The labor involved in this endeavor includes educational symposia, storytelling presentations, traditional ceremonies, and especially the production and performance of music with lyrics written and sung in Eastern Algonquian.