|
|
In Search of the First Language
|
|
|
|
Program Overview
|
|
|
There are almost 5,000 different languages spoken in the world. Many
linguists believe that these 5,000 evolved from about 200 distinct
and apparently unrelated families. Whether or not all of these
language families could have developed from a single language is the
issue explored by this episode of NOVA.
There is a controversy among linguists as to whether a primordial
language once existed. Some claim that after about 10,000 years, any
language has changed too much for anyone to ascertain the original
tongue. They argue that theories about languages before 10,000 years
ago are pure speculation. Others are turning to DNA patterns to
support theories of language origin. All of these linguists are
collecting information that they hope will help them find
relationships among the various families of languages.
|
|
