Interactive Map Traces the Indo-European Language Family from Proto-Indo-European to Today
The Indo-European Family Tree
This interactive visualization by Damon Binder maps the evolution of Indo-European languages from their common ancestor, Proto-Indo-European, spoken around 4500 BCE. Users can explore the family tree in circular or linear layouts, click on languages to learn more, and hear synthesized pronunciations. The map highlights the linguistic connections between languages as diverse as English, Hindi, Latin, and Persian.
From English and Hindi to Latin and Persian, the Indo-European languages all descend from Proto-Indo-European—an unrecorded language spoken around 4500 BCE.
- flohofwoe
Kinda funny that Bavarian is more distant from 'High German' than Yiddish :D (not exactly wrong though, Yiddish is easier to understand for any non-Bavarian than hardcore Bavarian).
There's at least a dozen local German dialects missing which are just as 'weird' as Bavarian though (PS: ok, all the main dialects spoken in the northern parts of Germany seem to be there, just in their own 'heritage node'), I guess Bavarian earned its own spot because it has the most speakers.
- ahazred8ta
Cool. Looks good. But on Android Chrome the 'about' box covers the entire map, and the timeline slider is in the way too.
- erminpour
I can image the moment Sir William Jones realized Sanskrit and Latin had a common origin. "Wait a minute...these can't all be coincidences." It's pretty mid-blowing.