The Evolution of Languages

The following blog post is a summary of the TED-Ed lesson by Alex Gendler called "How Languages Evolve". As a language school, we are fascinated by world languages. With over 24 different nationalities represented at our school, it is shocking to realize that many of the languages our diverse student-body speaks are actually related! 

Does an Original Language Exist?

Was there an "original language" that everyone spoke Milena ago? We can't be sure, but we do know that there were far fewer languages back then. Groups of people migrated and settled in new places and developed in new ways, including dividing dialects into radically different languages. 

Proto-Language

Common ancestry or proto-language

Language family can contain many languages

Tracing modern languages as far back as they can to Proto-Languages, or common ancestor of language

Grammar or syntax

basic vocabulary like nouns, pronouns, and

regular patterns 

linguist can determine and even reconstruct ancient languages!

Languages tend to transition gradually. The current division of languages

Not-So-Foreign Language

The next time you hear a foreign language, pay attention - it may not be as foreign as you think!

Citation: How Languages Evolve. By Alex Gendler. Dir. Igor Coric. TED-Ed. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Aug. 2016. <http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-languages-evolve-alex-gendler>.

Blog Images by Igor Coric