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Tijmen Pronk
Build your knowledge of Indo-European languages, how they changed through time, and how to reconstruct ancient languages. Every language belongs to a language family; a group of languages that are genetically related to each other. Indo-European is the name of the language family to which English belongs, along with many sub-families such as Germanic languages and Romance languages.
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Build your knowledge of Indo-European languages, how they changed through time, and how to reconstruct ancient languages. Every language belongs to a language family; a group of languages that are genetically related to each other. Indo-European is the name of the language family to which English belongs, along with many sub-families such as Germanic languages and Romance languages.
Read more
Build your knowledge of Indo-European languages, how they changed through time, and how to reconstruct ancient languages. Every language belongs to a language family; a group of languages that are genetically related to each other. Indo-European is the name of the language family to which English belongs, along with many sub-families such as Germanic languages and Romance languages.
The Indo-European language family is now known to consist of thirteen major branches and a number of now extinct languages of which only fragments have been preserved that may once have formed branches of their own.
You’ll delve into the structure and origins of these branches. Not only will you learn about the oldest languages belonging to the Indo-European language family, but you’ll also learn about linguistic reconstruction, how you can tell whether two languages are related to each other and how language changes.
This course will guide you through the different groups of Indo-European languages. You’ll look at some of the oldest texts from these languages, including Ancient Greek and Sanskrit, and learn about the importance of oral traditions in the history of these texts.
As you progress through each of the branches of the language tree, you’ll begin to piece together the Proto-Indo-European language bit by bit by comparing and contrasting each different language in the tree.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
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What's inside
Syllabus
The Indo-European language family
This week we will introduce the Indo-European language family. We will explain what a language family is and how the Indo-European language family was discovered. We will also provide you with an overview of the languages that belong to the Indo-European family.
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Syllabus
The Indo-European language family
This week we will introduce the Indo-European language family. We will explain what a language family is and how the Indo-European language family was discovered. We will also provide you with an overview of the languages that belong to the Indo-European family.
Read more
Language Change
During this course, you will not only learn about the oldest languages belonging to the Indo-European language family, but also about linguistic reconstruction. This week starts with an overview of the basic linguistic concepts that you will need to understand when taking this course. If these are new to you, it may be a good idea to print them or write or them down so that you can consult them later on during the course if necessary. After this short introduction to linguistics, you will learn how you can tell whether two languages are related to each other and how language changes.
Greek and Sanskrit
Ancient Greek and Sanskrit are among the most important languages for the reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European. We will therefore start our journey through the Indo-European language family with these two languages. This week you will learn about the oldest texts in the Ancient Greek and Sanskrit languages. You will also learn about the importance of oral traditions in the history of these texts. We will take the first steps towards reconstructing Proto-Indo-European by studying the vowels of Greek and Sanskrit. We will end this lesson by introducing the concept of Ablaut.
Iranian and Armenian
You now know about the oldest Ancient Greek and Sanskrit texts. You also understand how to reconstruct Proto-Indo-European vowels by comparing Greek words to Sanskrit words. This week we will take a look at the oldest Iranian languages: Avestan and Old Persian. You will also expand your knowledge of the evolution of Indo-European vowels when we introduce two sound laws that affected Indic and Iranian languages. At the end of this week's lesson, we will introduce another branch of Indo-European: Armenian.
Balto-Slavic and Italic
You are now familiar with the oldest texts in the Greek and Indo-Iranian languages and are able to reconstruct Proto-Indo-European vowels and diphthongs. You understand a number of Indo-Iranian sound laws: Bruggmann's law, Grassmann's law and the palatalization of velars. This week you will learn about three additional branches of Indo-European: Baltic, Slavic and Italic. We will introduce you to the oldest texts in these languages. You will also learn how to reconstruct some Proto-Indo-European consonants: the so-called palatovelars. Finally, we will explain the concept of relative chronology in historical linguistics. Each lesson, you are also learning new linguistic terms. If you come across a technical term of which you don't remember the meaning, you can always consult the overview of linguistic terminology that can be found at the end of lesson 2.
Celtic and Germanic
So far, you have learned about six branches of Indo-European, including Baltic, Slavic and Italic. You know what satem- and centum-languages are and are able to reconstruct Proto-Indo-European palatovelar consonants. This week is about the Celtic and Germanic languages. You will learn about the oldest texts in various Celtic and Germanic languages. You will also learn that these are centum languages. We will introduce a new set of Proto-Indo-European consonants: the so-called labiovelars. Finally, we will explain how the Proto-Indo-European consonants evolved in the Germanic languages.
Anatolian and Tocharian
Last week we discussed the Celtic and Germanic languages and the way their consonants evolved. You now know what Grimm's and Verner's laws are and you are able to reconstruct Proto-Indo-European labiovelar consonants. This week you will learn about the most recent addition to the Proto-Indo-European language family: Anatolian and Tocharian. As usual, we will tell you about the oldest texts in these languages. You will also find out what their place in the Indo-European language family is and how you can set up a language family tree. Finally, you will learn about perhaps the most difficult part of the Proto-Indo-European sound system: the so-called laryngeals.
Indo-European culture and society
You now know which old sources are used when Indo-European languages are compared to each other. You also know which sounds are reconstructed for Proto-Indo-European and you have the skills to do this yourself. This is the final week of the course. You will learn about Indo-European society and culture: who were the people who spoke Proto-Indo-European? How did they live? What is know about their religion and about the oral texts that they used?
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Explores Indo-European languages, which is a significant language family in linguistics
Teaches linguistic reconstruction, a fundamental skill in historical linguistics
Examines the Proto-Indo-European language, the ancestor of many modern languages
Introduces the concept of language families, a key concept in historical linguistics
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Save Introduction to Comparative Indo-European Linguistics to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Introduction to Comparative Indo-European Linguistics with these
activities:
Review Basic Linguistics Concepts
Show steps
Refreshes foundational linguistic knowledge necessary for understanding Indo-European languages.
Browse courses on
Linguistics
Show steps
-
Review basic linguistic concepts such as phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax.
-
Apply these concepts to the study of Indo-European languages.
Contribute to the Wiktionary
Show steps
Contribute to the collective knowledge of Indo-European languages by adding or improving entries in the Wiktionary.
Browse courses on
Indo-European Languages
Show steps
-
Create a Wiktionary account.
-
Find an Indo-European language or word that you are interested in.
-
Edit or create an entry for that language or word.
Read 'A History of the Indo-European Language Family' by Oswald Szemerényi
Show steps
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history and development of the Indo-European language family.
Show steps
-
Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
-
Identify the different branches of the Indo-European language family.
-
Understand the major sound changes that have occurred in the different branches of the Indo-European language family.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Read 'The Indo-European Language Family' by Robert Beekes
Show steps
Provides a solid foundation in the history and development of Indo-European languages.
Show steps
-
Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
-
Identify the different branches of the Indo-European language family.
-
Understand the sound changes that have occurred in the different branches of the Indo-European language family.
Indo-European Cognate Drill
Show steps
Sharpens the ability to identify and analyze cognates in different Indo-European languages.
Show steps
-
Compare vocabulary from different Indo-European languages to identify cognates.
-
Analyze the sound changes that have occurred in the cognates.
-
Reconstruct the Proto-Indo-European forms of the cognates.
Proto-Indo-European Phonology Tutorial
Show steps
Provides a comprehensive understanding of the sound system of Proto-Indo-European.
Show steps
-
Follow a tutorial on Proto-Indo-European phonology.
-
Learn the different Proto-Indo-European consonants and vowels.
-
Understand the sound changes that occurred in the different branches of the Indo-European language family.
Indo-European Reconstruction Team
Show steps
Collaborate with others to reconstruct Proto-Indo-European words and texts.
Show steps
-
Form a study group with other students interested in Indo-European languages.
-
Choose a text in an Indo-European language to work on.
-
Reconstruct the Proto-Indo-European form of the text.
-
Present your findings to the group.
Indo-European Etymological Dictionary
Show steps
Deepens understanding of Indo-European language evolution by creating an etymological dictionary.
Browse courses on
Etymology
Show steps
-
Choose a specific branch or sub-branch of the Indo-European language family to focus on.
-
Research the etymology of words in the chosen language or sub-branch.
-
Create an etymological dictionary that includes the word, its etymology, and its cognates in other Indo-European languages.
Review Basic Linguistics Concepts
Show steps
Refreshes foundational linguistic knowledge necessary for understanding Indo-European languages.
Browse courses on
Linguistics
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review basic linguistic concepts such as phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax.
- Apply these concepts to the study of Indo-European languages.
Contribute to the Wiktionary
Show steps
Contribute to the collective knowledge of Indo-European languages by adding or improving entries in the Wiktionary.
Browse courses on
Indo-European Languages
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Create a Wiktionary account.
- Find an Indo-European language or word that you are interested in.
- Edit or create an entry for that language or word.
Read 'A History of the Indo-European Language Family' by Oswald Szemerényi
Show steps
Provides a comprehensive overview of the history and development of the Indo-European language family.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
- Identify the different branches of the Indo-European language family.
- Understand the major sound changes that have occurred in the different branches of the Indo-European language family.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Read 'The Indo-European Language Family' by Robert Beekes
Show steps
Provides a solid foundation in the history and development of Indo-European languages.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
- Identify the different branches of the Indo-European language family.
- Understand the sound changes that have occurred in the different branches of the Indo-European language family.
Indo-European Cognate Drill
Show steps
Sharpens the ability to identify and analyze cognates in different Indo-European languages.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Compare vocabulary from different Indo-European languages to identify cognates.
- Analyze the sound changes that have occurred in the cognates.
- Reconstruct the Proto-Indo-European forms of the cognates.
Proto-Indo-European Phonology Tutorial
Show steps
Provides a comprehensive understanding of the sound system of Proto-Indo-European.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Follow a tutorial on Proto-Indo-European phonology.
- Learn the different Proto-Indo-European consonants and vowels.
- Understand the sound changes that occurred in the different branches of the Indo-European language family.
Indo-European Reconstruction Team
Show steps
Collaborate with others to reconstruct Proto-Indo-European words and texts.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Form a study group with other students interested in Indo-European languages.
- Choose a text in an Indo-European language to work on.
- Reconstruct the Proto-Indo-European form of the text.
- Present your findings to the group.
Indo-European Etymological Dictionary
Show steps
Deepens understanding of Indo-European language evolution by creating an etymological dictionary.
Browse courses on
Etymology
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a specific branch or sub-branch of the Indo-European language family to focus on.
- Research the etymology of words in the chosen language or sub-branch.
- Create an etymological dictionary that includes the word, its etymology, and its cognates in other Indo-European languages.
Career center
Learners who complete Introduction to Comparative Indo-European Linguistics will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Linguist
Linguist
A Linguist studies the structure and evolution of languages. They may specialize in a particular language family, such as the Indo-European language family. This course would be a valuable addition to the education of a Linguist because it provides a comprehensive overview of the Indo-European language family, including its history, structure, and evolution.
Philologist
Philologist
A Philologist studies the history and development of languages, as well as their relationship to each other. They may specialize in a particular language family, such as the Indo-European language family. This course would be very helpful for Philologists because it provides a comprehensive overview of the Indo-European language family, including its history, structure, and evolution.
Translator
Translator
A Translator converts written or spoken text from one language to another. They may specialize in a particular language pair, such as English to Spanish or Spanish to English. This course may be helpful for Translators because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for understanding the history and development of different languages and for translating texts accurately and effectively.
Archaeologist
Archaeologist
An Archaeologist studies past human societies through the excavation and analysis of material remains. They may specialize in a particular area, such as prehistoric archaeology or historical archaeology. This course may be helpful for Archaeologists because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for understanding the history and development of human cultures and languages.
Anthropologist
Anthropologist
An Anthropologist studies the behavior, origin, and development of humans. They may specialize in a particular area, such as cultural anthropology or linguistic anthropology. This course may be helpful for Anthropologists because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for understanding the history and development of human cultures and languages.
Museum curator
Museum curator
A Museum Curator is responsible for the care and display of museum collections. They may specialize in a particular area, such as history or art. This course may be helpful for Museum Curators because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for understanding the history and development of museum collections and for creating exhibits that are informative and engaging.
Professor
Professor
A Professor teaches and conducts research at a college or university. They may specialize in a particular field, such as linguistics or history. This course may be helpful for Professors because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for teaching courses on linguistics or history.
Archivist
Archivist
An Archivist collects, preserves, and makes accessible historical documents and other materials. They may work for a library, museum, or other organization. This course may be helpful for Archivists because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for understanding the history and development of written documents and for preserving and making them accessible to researchers and the public.
Librarian
Librarian
A Librarian helps people find and use information. They may work in a library, school, or other organization. This course may be helpful for Librarians because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for understanding the history and development of written documents and for helping people find the information they need.
Editor
Editor
An Editor reviews, corrects, and prepares written content for publication. They may work for a publishing house, magazine, or other organization. This course may be helpful for Editors because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for understanding the history and development of language and for identifying and correcting errors in written content.
Historian
Historian
A Historian researches, analyzes, interprets, and writes about the past. They use primary and secondary sources to reconstruct the past and to understand how it has shaped the present. This course may be helpful for Historians because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for understanding how different cultures and societies have developed and interacted with each other.
Writer
Writer
A Writer creates written content, such as books, articles, and speeches. They may specialize in a particular genre, such as fiction or non-fiction. This course may be helpful for Writers because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for understanding the history and development of language and for creating more effective written content.
Journalist
Journalist
A Journalist gathers, analyzes, and reports on news and current events. They may specialize in a particular area, such as politics or sports. This course may be helpful for Journalists because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for understanding the history and development of current events and for reporting on them in a clear and concise manner.
Technical Writer
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer creates instruction manuals, technical reports, and other documents that explain complex technical information. They may specialize in a particular field, such as computer science or engineering. This course may be helpful for Technical Writers because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for understanding the history and development of technical terms.
Teacher
Teacher
A Teacher provides instruction to students at a school or other educational institution. They may specialize in a particular subject, such as English or history. This course may be helpful for Teachers because it provides an overview of the Indo-European language family and how languages change over time. This knowledge can be useful for teaching courses on English or history.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/l38zgn/introduction
Reading list
We've selected eight books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Introduction to Comparative Indo-European Linguistics.
The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European and the Proto-Indo-European World comprehensive guide to the Proto-Indo-European language and the Proto-Indo-European world. It provides a detailed overview of the Proto-Indo-European language, its history, and its relationship to other Indo-European languages
The Indo-European Languages comprehensive overview of the Indo-European languages. It provides a detailed overview of the Indo-European language family, its history, and its relationship to other language families.
Save
Sanskrit: An Introduction to the Classical Language comprehensive introduction to the Sanskrit language. It provides a detailed overview of the Sanskrit language, its grammar, and its literature.
Ancient Greek: A Comprehensive Grammar of Attic Greek comprehensive grammar of the Attic Greek language. It provides a detailed overview of the Attic Greek language, its grammar, and its literature.
Save
Old Persian: A Textbook comprehensive textbook on the Old Persian language. It provides a detailed overview of the Old Persian language, its grammar, and its literature.
A Grammar of the Latin Language comprehensive grammar of the Latin language. It provides a detailed overview of the Latin language, its grammar, and its literature.
A Course in Phonology comprehensive introduction to phonology. It provides a detailed overview of the phonological systems of the world's languages.
The Languages of the Ancient Near East comprehensive overview of the languages of the ancient Near East. It provides a detailed overview of the languages of the ancient Near East, their history, and their relationship to other languages.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/l38zgn/introduction
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Tijmen Pronk
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Good to know
Explores Indo-European languages, which is a significant language family in linguistics
Teaches linguistic reconstruction, a fundamental skill in historical linguistics
Examines the Proto-Indo-European language, the ancestor of many modern languages
Introduces the concept of language families, a key concept in historical linguistics
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