Language and Linguistics Concepts

Front

Process where two languages collapse into one language. Happens when people speaking two languages have frequent and consistent spatial interaction with each other.

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Language convergence

Front

Process where discrete, new languages are eventually formed from one language. Happens when people speaking two dialects of a language are relatively isolated from each other and have little spatial interaction.

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Language divergence

Front

Group of languages with a shared but distant origin.

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Language family

Front

Divisions within a language family where commonalities are more definite and the origin is more recent.

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Language Subfamilies

Front

Place name.

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Toponym

Front

A language used in everyday interaction among a group of people in a local area.

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Vernacular

Front

The theory that the Proto-Indo-European language spread with the diffusion of agriculture.

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Agricultural theory

Front

A word in one language that shares its origin with a word in another language. It has similar meanings and spellings and show shared origins and connections among languages.

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Cognate

Front

Language without any native speakers.

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Extinct language

Front

Area or place where an idea, innovation, or technology originates.

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Hearth