Where Do the Original Words in PIE Come From and Why Do Languages Diverge?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Char. Limit
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the origins of words in Proto-Indo-European (PIE) and the reasons for linguistic divergence. Prominent linguists propose that onomatopoeia may serve as the ultimate root for many protolanguage roots, although this theory lacks widespread acceptance. The conversation highlights that languages primarily diverge due to natural sound changes among users in different regions, with borrowing being less common. This divergence suggests a complex interplay of linguistic evolution rather than a simple borrowing process.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Proto-Indo-European (PIE) linguistics
  • Familiarity with onomatopoeia in language development
  • Knowledge of sound change mechanisms in linguistics
  • Awareness of language borrowing concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the theory of onomatopoeia in linguistic roots
  • Explore sound change phenomena in historical linguistics
  • Investigate the mechanisms of language borrowing
  • Study the divergence and convergence of languages in sociolinguistics
USEFUL FOR

Linguists, language enthusiasts, and students of historical linguistics interested in the evolution of languages and the factors influencing linguistic change.

Char. Limit
Gold Member
Messages
1,222
Reaction score
23
Where do the original words
in PIE come from, and why do languages tend to diverge rather than converge?
 
Science news on Phys.org


Char. Limit said:
Where do the original words
in PIE come from, and why do languages tend to diverge rather than converge?

To the first question, we don't know. There are prominent lingusits who have suggested onomatopoeia as the ultimate root for many/most protolanguage roots, but I don't know that that theory is widely accepted.

On the whole, languages converge by borrowing and diverge by the natural sound changes by language users in different areas. That they diverge more converge suggests that borrowing is less common than sound change. (Of course there are other drivers for both.)
 


But... We know everything about ourselves... I wish at least.

Thanks for the info.+
 

Similar threads

Etymology of the word 'fart' in a handful of PIE languages
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Lingusitics New Hybrid Model for the Origin of Indo-European Languages
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Lingusitics Did people in antiquity comment on word similarities across languages?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Why do we spend so much time learning grammar in the public school system?
  • · Replies 98 ·
4
Replies
98
Views
5K
Lingusitics Sounds of g and c in Romance languages (and some of English)
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
Thoughts about the US pronunciation of "margarine"
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Lingusitics (BBC) Bolze is more than a just a language: it’s a cultural identity
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Relationship between the divergence of a field and its cause?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Sticky
How to use the "w" in www
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
5K
Why weren't there lynchings in New England in late 1800s & early 1900s?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K