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Resource Library | Infographic

Resource Library
Infographic

Linguistics

Linguistics

Chart: Words that have changed the least over time.

Grades

All

Subjects

Arts and Music, English Language Arts, Social Studies

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    Graphic by Oliver Uberti, National Geographic

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Related Resources
  • Evolution of Language

    Language allows us to share our thoughts, ideas, emotions, and intention with others. Over thousands of years, humans have developed a wide variety of systems to assign specific meaning to sounds, forming words and systems of grammar to create languages. Many languages developed written forms using symbols to visually record their meaning. Some languages, like American Sign Language (ASL), are an entirely visual language without the need for vocalizations. Although languages are defined by rules, they are by no means static, and evolve over time. Some languages are incredibly old and have changed very little over time, such as modern Icelandic, which strongly resembles its parent, Old Norse. Other languages evolve rapidly by incorporating elements of other languages. Still other languages die out due to political oppression or social assimilation, though many dying languages live on in the vocabularies and dialects of prominent languages around the world. Teach your students how the languages of the world have evolved over time, and how their own languages continue to evolve today with this curated collection of resources.

    View Collection
  • Marshallese Stick Chart

    Can you navigate the Pacific?

    View Photograph
  • chart

    Charts help captains of ships and pilots of airplanes navigate to their destination quickly and safely

    View Article
  • Charting a Course Over Antarctica

    Photo: Pilots chart flight

    View Photograph
Related Resources
  • Evolution of Language

    Language allows us to share our thoughts, ideas, emotions, and intention with others. Over thousands of years, humans have developed a wide variety of systems to assign specific meaning to sounds, forming words and systems of grammar to create languages. Many languages developed written forms using symbols to visually record their meaning. Some languages, like American Sign Language (ASL), are an entirely visual language without the need for vocalizations. Although languages are defined by rules, they are by no means static, and evolve over time. Some languages are incredibly old and have changed very little over time, such as modern Icelandic, which strongly resembles its parent, Old Norse. Other languages evolve rapidly by incorporating elements of other languages. Still other languages die out due to political oppression or social assimilation, though many dying languages live on in the vocabularies and dialects of prominent languages around the world. Teach your students how the languages of the world have evolved over time, and how their own languages continue to evolve today with this curated collection of resources.

    View Collection
  • Marshallese Stick Chart

    Can you navigate the Pacific?

    View Photograph
  • chart

    Charts help captains of ships and pilots of airplanes navigate to their destination quickly and safely

    View Article
  • Charting a Course Over Antarctica

    Photo: Pilots chart flight

    View Photograph

National Geographic Headquarters
1145 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036

ABOUT
  • National Geographic Society
  • National Geographic Partners
  • News and Impact
  • Contact
EXPLORE
  • Our Explorers
  • Our Projects
  • Resources for Educators
  • Museum and Events
  • Technology and Innovation
JOIN US
  • Ways to Give
  • Apply for a Grant
  • Careers
Donate Get Updates
Connect
Connect

National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. © 1996 - 2021 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.
Privacy Notice |  Sustainability Policy |  Terms of Service |  Code of Ethics

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