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How we know languages like proto-Indo-European existed [video]

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Re: How we know languages like proto-Indo-European existed [video]

#11
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He mentions his credentials(or lack thereof) as the first thing in the video. Did you even look at the video for a second?

Perhaps he's trying to decide whether it's worth the time. Video is not a good format for skimming around to get a quick overall impression.

They evidently made no attempt at all and want others to do the work for them

Re: How we know languages like proto-Indo-European existed [video]

#12
post #6

Is this guy a linguist, published in peer reviewed publications? It's so easy to make up stuff regarding language, that sounds reasonable, but has nothing to do with reality.

Are you also saying that those who publish in peer reviewed journals don’t make stuff up?

See the recent LK-99, Stanford president and Dan Ariely

I really wish we could get over the whole idea that universities and journal have a monopoly on knowledge in the age of the internet.

It really is an antiquated view, literally.

Re: How we know languages like proto-Indo-European existed [video]

#13
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps he's trying to decide whether it's worth the time. Video is not a good format for skimming around to get a quick overall impression.

They evidently made no attempt at all and want others to do the work for them

The question is reasonable, it’s often not a good time to watch a video and one might want to know if it’s worth coming back to. The problem is that the tone is abrasive.

Re: How we know languages like proto-Indo-European existed [video]

#14
post #12
post #6

Is this guy a linguist, published in peer reviewed publications? It's so easy to make up stuff regarding language, that sounds reasonable, but has nothing to do with reality.

Are you also saying that those who publish in peer reviewed journals don’t make stuff up? See the recent LK-99, Stanford president and Dan Ariely I really wish we could get over the whole idea that universities and journal have a monopoly on knowledge in the age of the internet. It really is an antiquated view, literally.

LK-99 was never published in a journal, it was on arxiv.

Re: How we know languages like proto-Indo-European existed [video]

#15
post #5
post #3

PIE is fascinating. I desperately wish we knew more about that culture

IMO we know too much (though obviously still too little) about PIE and not enough about non-PIE languages, and I find those much more interesting.

Yes, though it makes sense as majority of Europe and Europe-descended cultures are Indo-Europeans, with Indians and Iranians as the other major cultures.

We know much about Proto-Semitic AND Proto-Afro-Asiatic, thankfully, due to the antiquity of recorded Semitic languages in the Near East. Proto-Austronesian seems to be clear too with the 600+ languages we have access to. Unfortunately the languages between the three (Caucasians, language isolates, Tibeto-Burman, Andamanese, Turko-Mongol-Yeniseian Altaic* sprachbund etc) are much more obscure.

Yeniseian (the originator of such words as Tengri, Kha(g)an, etc) being connected to Native American Apache language was pretty amazing and evidence of the importance of paleo-linguistics in finding out informations about our ancestors

Re: How we know languages like proto-Indo-European existed [video]

#18
post #8
post #6

Is this guy a linguist, published in peer reviewed publications? It's so easy to make up stuff regarding language, that sounds reasonable, but has nothing to do with reality.

Are you saying that we should only listen/read to people who are? The first thing he says is that he’s not a linguist.

In a first approach, yeah, that sounds pretty reasonable.

Re: How we know languages like proto-Indo-European existed [video]

#19
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He mentions his credentials(or lack thereof) as the first thing in the video. Did you even look at the video for a second?

Perhaps he's trying to decide whether it's worth the time. Video is not a good format for skimming around to get a quick overall impression.

I agree entirely. I would applaud a ban on video posts for HN.

Re: How we know languages like proto-Indo-European existed [video]

#20
I thought this might be a Simon Roper video! I really enjoy his deep, humble and creative views on these topics, even though he still describes himself as only an enthusiast. Speaking of creative, check out his "A London Accent from the 14th to the 21st Century"[1] for a frankly enchanting 18 minutes of viewing.

[1] https://youtu.be/3lXv3Tt4x20?feature=shared

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