Historical Linguistics

The Real Origin of the Spanish Language

Ever heard that Spanish is just 'sloppy Latin?' The truth is a fascinating tale of Roman soldiers, Germanic warriors, Arab…

2 weeks ago

Why is Paella So Important to Spain?

Paella is far more than Spain's most famous culinary export; it's a social ritual cooked over an open fire and…

2 weeks ago

The History of Spanish Influence in America

Long before the English arrived, Spanish explorers and settlers left an indelible mark on the landscape and language of North…

2 weeks ago

The Moorish Legacy: Arab Influence on Spain

For over 700 years, the Moorish kingdom of Al-Andalus was a beacon of culture and science in Europe, leaving an…

2 weeks ago

The Dual Pronouns of Ancient Sanskrit

In our modern world, we count 'one' and 'many.' But Ancient Sanskrit had a third, forgotten category: the dual, a…

2 weeks ago

How Persian Lost Its Gender

Modern Persian, or Farsi, is famously gender-neutral, but its ancestor, Old Persian, was not. This post explores the fascinating linguistic…

2 weeks ago

When Did English Lose Its Grammatical Gender?

Old English once had a complex system of masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns, much like modern German. This all changed…

3 weeks ago

The Sound of Old English: How Was Beowulf Spoken?

We can read the words of Beowulf, but what did this ancient ancestor of English actually sound like? By using…

3 weeks ago

How Do New Signs Get Created in ASL?

American Sign Language is a living, evolving system, not a static code. The process of creating new signs for modern…

3 weeks ago

“Correcting” a Language: A Brief History

Ever wonder why we have "correct" spelling and grammar? These rules aren't timeless truths but were forged by powerful forces…

3 weeks ago

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