Proto-language: Difference between revisions
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==Languages inferred from other languages== |
==Languages inferred from other languages== |
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{{main|Historical linguistics}} |
{{main|Historical linguistics}} |
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A '''proto-language''' is a [[language]] which was the common ancestor of related languages that form a [[language family]]. The [[German language|German]] term '''''Ursprache''''' (derived from the prefix ''[[Ur-]]'' and '' |
A '''proto-language''' is a [[language]] which was the common ancestor of related languages that form a [[language family]]. The [[German language|German]] term '''''Ursprache''''' (derived from the prefix ''[[Ur-]]'' "primordial" and ''Sprache'' "language") is occasionally used as well. |
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In most cases, the ancestral proto-language is not known directly and it has to be [[linguistic reconstruction|reconstructed]] by comparing different members of the language family via a technique called the [[comparative method]]. Through this process only a part of the proto-language's structure and vocabulary can be reconstructed; the reconstruction remains the more fragmentary the more ancient the proto-language in question is. Examples of unattested but (partially) reconstructed proto-languages include [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]], [[Proto-Uralic]] and [[Bantu languages|Proto-Bantu]] |
In most cases, the ancestral proto-language is not known directly and it has to be [[linguistic reconstruction|reconstructed]] by comparing different members of the language family via a technique called the [[comparative method]]. Through this process only a part of the proto-language's structure and vocabulary can be reconstructed; the reconstruction remains the more fragmentary the more ancient the proto-language in question is. Examples of unattested but (partially) reconstructed proto-languages include [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]], [[Proto-Uralic language|Proto-Uralic]] and [[Bantu languages|Proto-Bantu]] – the ancestors of [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]], [[Uralic languages|Uralic]] and [[Bantu languages|Bantu]] languages, respectively. Sometimes, however, the proto-language is a language which is known from inscriptions, an example being the [[Proto-Norse language]] attested in the [[Elder Futhark]] [[runic inscriptions]]. |
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In [[historical linguistics]], a '''proposed language''' is a language for which no direct evidence exists, most commonly the proto-language of a [[language family]]. Assumptions about proposed languages are based on the [[comparative method]]. |
In [[historical linguistics]], a '''proposed language''' is a language for which no direct evidence exists, most commonly the proto-language of a [[language family]]. Assumptions about proposed languages are based on the [[comparative method]]. |
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The [[Proto-Indo-European language]] (PIE) is |
The [[Proto-Indo-European language]] (PIE) is the most elaborated example of a proposed language. Although there is no direct evidence that this language ever existed, there is copious evidence for its existence in the many similarities of the [[Indo-European languages]]. A great amount of work has been put into the reconstruction of Proto-Indo-European, but there are no means of determining its success. The [[Dacian language]], on the other hand, is not a proposed language. Although records of the language itself have not survived, there are records that indicate that there was such a language. The Roman poet [[Ovid]], for example, learned the Dacian language after being exiled to [[Tomis]] in [[Dacia]]. He even composed poems in this language, which were unfortunately lost. |
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==A communication mode less complete than true language== |
==A communication mode less complete than true language== |
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{{main|Origin of language}} |
{{main|Origin of language}} |
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Revision as of 11:54, 13 November 2006
Proto-language may refer to either:
- a language that is the common ancestor of a set of related languages (a language family), or
- a system of communication during a stage in glottogony that may not yet be properly called a language.
Languages inferred from other languages
A proto-language is a language which was the common ancestor of related languages that form a language family. The German term Ursprache (derived from the prefix Ur- "primordial" and Sprache "language") is occasionally used as well.
In most cases, the ancestral proto-language is not known directly and it has to be reconstructed by comparing different members of the language family via a technique called the comparative method. Through this process only a part of the proto-language's structure and vocabulary can be reconstructed; the reconstruction remains the more fragmentary the more ancient the proto-language in question is. Examples of unattested but (partially) reconstructed proto-languages include Proto-Indo-European, Proto-Uralic and Proto-Bantu – the ancestors of Indo-European, Uralic and Bantu languages, respectively. Sometimes, however, the proto-language is a language which is known from inscriptions, an example being the Proto-Norse language attested in the Elder Futhark runic inscriptions.
A communication mode less complete than true language
An absolute proto-language, as defined by linguist Derek Bickerton, is a primitive form of communication lacking:
- a fully-developed syntax
- tense, aspect, auxiliary verbs, etc.
- a closed (i.e. non-lexical) vocabulary
The "me Tarzan, you Jane" nature of proto-language in this last sense is evident in pidgins, some features of early childhood language, and the language of adults who were deprived of language during the critical period (such as the feral child Genie). Derek Bickerton suggests language evolved from this kind of proto-language in a linguistic 'big bang'. But see also Terrence Deacon's arguments in his book The Symbolic Species for a radically different point of view.