List of Indo-European languages

Indo-European-speaking world

Indo-European branches map

Languages of North America

Indo-European Migrations. Source David Anthony (2007), The Horse, The Wheel and Language

Indo-European expansions

Anatolian Languages in 2nd millennium BC

Indo-European languages constitute a language family comprising several hundred related languages and dialects, including most of the major languages spoken in Europe, parts of Asia, and parts of the diaspora in other continents. The family is divided into several branches, each containing various languages and dialects. The most widely spoken Indo-European languages include English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Bengali, Russian, and German.

Branches and Languages

The Indo-European language family is divided into several branches, each with its own distinct characteristics and languages. The primary branches are:

Indo-Iranian

The Indo-Iranian languages are further divided into the Indic languages (or Indo-Aryan) and the Iranian languages. Major languages in this branch include Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Persian (Farsi), and Pashto.

Italic

The Italic languages include the Romance languages, which evolved from Latin. Major Romance languages are Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, and Romanian.

Germanic

The Germanic languages are divided into three groups: West Germanic, North Germanic, and East Germanic (the latter is now extinct). Major Germanic languages include English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian.

Balto-Slavic

The Balto-Slavic languages are divided into the Baltic languages and the Slavic languages. Major Baltic languages are Lithuanian and Latvian. Major Slavic languages include Russian, Polish, Czech, and Serbian.

Celtic

The Celtic languages are divided into the Goidelic (or Gaelic) and Brythonic branches. Major Celtic languages include Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Welsh.

Hellenic

The Hellenic languages consist primarily of Greek, with its ancient and modern forms.

Armenian

The Armenian language forms its own unique branch within the Indo-European family.

Albanian

Similarly, the Albanian language constitutes its own branch, with its distinct linguistic features.

Tocharian

The Tocharian languages, now extinct, were once spoken in what is now Western China and are known only from manuscripts from the 6th to 8th centuries.

Characteristics

Indo-European languages share several linguistic characteristics, including similarities in vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. They are known for their use of inflections to indicate grammatical relationships and their extensive use of consonant and vowel gradation (ablaut).

Historical Significance

The study of Indo-European languages has played a crucial role in understanding the prehistory of Europe and parts of Asia. The comparative method, used to reconstruct the Proto-Indo-European language, has provided insights into the culture and society of the Proto-Indo-European people.

Conclusion

The Indo-European languages form a diverse and widespread family, reflecting a rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and migrations. Their study continues to contribute to our understanding of human linguistic and cultural evolution.