Words

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This captivating narrative explores the journey of the languages of Europe, tracing their origins from a long-lost unwritten language. It delves into the dynamics of war and peace among words, highlighting the triumph of some languages and the decline of others. The text illustrates the exchange and appropriation of ideas, showcasing how the Latin of Roman legionaries evolved into elegant languages, while Greek remained influential in modern sciences. The evolution of ancient Germanic speech into closely related tongues, including English as a near-world language, is also examined. Additionally, the story encompasses non-Western languages spoken by millions in Asia and the Middle East, revealing shared roots with European languages. It touches on unrelated neighbors like Finnish and Hungarian, tracing their origins to northern Asian hunters, and discusses Basque, a language with mysterious origins. With a well-paced narrative, maps, photographs, and over 1,000 examples of words in motion, this work tells the enthralling story of western languages through the centuries. It highlights the familial connections among diverse vernaculars, from Bolivian to Bulgarian, and includes a map section, a glossary of technical terms, and a comprehensive index. This is essential reading for anyone interested in language, travel, or the excitement of words.