Indo-European family of languages: origin hypotheses

Indo-European family of languages: origin hypotheses
Indo-European family of languages: origin hypotheses
Anonim

Studies of linguists about the origin of a particular language make it possible to judge the degree of kinship of various nationalities. These searches should not be underestimated, because sometimes in the course of this or that analysis, the hidden secrets of humanity are discovered, which are of great importance. In addition, as a result of the investigation of the origin of world languages, more and more facts are found confirming that all means of communication originate from one beginning. There are various versions regarding the origin of a particular linguistic group. Consider what roots the Indo-European family of languages has.

What does this concept include?

Indo-European family of languages
Indo-European family of languages

The Indo-European family of languages was singled out by linguists on the basis of great similarity, the principles of similarity, proven using the comparative historical method. It included about 200 living and dead means of communication. This language family is represented by speakers whose number exceeds the mark of 2.5billion. At the same time, their speech is not limited to the framework of a particular state, it is spread throughout the Earth.

The term "Indo-European family of languages" was introduced in 1813 by one of the famous English scientists Thomas Young. Interestingly, a British physicist is the first to decipher an Egyptian inscription with Cleopatra's name.

Hypotheses about the origin

Indo-European language family
Indo-European language family

Due to the fact that the Indo-European language family is considered the most common on the globe, many scientists are wondering where its speakers come from. There are several versions about the origin of this linguistic system, brief information about which can be presented as follows:

1. Anatolian hypothesis. This is one of the first versions about the origin of the parent language and about the common ancestors of representatives of the Indo-European groups. It was put forward by the English archaeologist Colin Renfrew. He suggested that the homeland of this family of languages is the territory where the Turkish settlement of Chatal-Hyuyuk (Anatolia) is now located. The scientist's hypothesis was based on the finds found in this place, as well as on his analysis work using radiocarbon experiments. Another British scientist Barry Cunliff, known for his work in the field of anthropology and archeology, is also considered a supporter of Anatolian origin.

2. The Kurgan hypothesis. This version was proposed by Maria Gimbutas, who was one of the prominent figures in the field of cultural studies and anthropology. In 1956, in her writings, she suggested thatthe Indo-European family of languages originated on the territory of modern Russia and Ukraine. The version was based on the fact that the Kurgan-type culture and the Pit-type culture were then developed, and that these two components gradually spread over most of Eurasia.

groups of the Indo-European family of languages
groups of the Indo-European family of languages

3. Balkan hypothesis. According to this assumption, it is believed that the ancestors of the Indo-Europeans lived in the southeast of modern Europe. This culture originated in the area of the Balkan Peninsula and included a set of material and spiritual values created in the Neolithic era. The scientists who put forward this version based their judgments on the principle of linguistics, according to which the “center of gravity” (that is, the homeland or source) of language distribution lies in the place where the greatest variety of means of communication is observed.

The Indo-European family of languages includes the most common modern means of communication. Studies by linguists prove the commonality of these cultures, as well as the fact that all people are related to each other. And this is the main thing that should not be forgotten, and only in this case can hostility and misunderstanding between different nationalities be prevented.

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