In the first session of this two-part seminar, we’ll start with a look at the forgotten societies of prehistoric Europe and what can be gleaned of the languages they spoke. From there we’ll look at the language and culture of the Proto-Indo-European speakers and follow their dispersal and expansion to become the founders of many prominent ancient peoples, including the Greeks, Hittites, Persians, Celts, Romans, and the Sanskrit speakers of northern India. We’ll see how different branches of Indo-European languages either conserved or modified features of their ancestral Proto-Indo-European; and we’ll explore the structure of Old Germanic, see how it developed into the Germanic and Scandinavian languages, and will follow the Angles and Saxons to post-Roman Britain.

In the second session, we’ll see how bands of Germanic-speaking warriors became the Anglo-Saxons, and we’ll trace the development of Old English from raunchy riddles and the epic of Beowulf to the Viking invasions and the profound impact of Scandinavian languages. We’ll explore how political events such as the Norman Conquest helped transform the last stages of Old English into medieval English, and we’ll see how English continued to change as wooden ships braved the oceans of the world—and how it may change even further when swifter ships one day reach the stars.

Please note: This class or event is hybrid. Some attendees will be in-person and some will attend online. There may be a limited number of in-person seats available. If you are participating online (using Zoom or a similar live platform), students or attendees should have a stable internet connection. Class participants: you should have a computer or device with a webcam and microphone; and your Zoom link will be automatically sent to you after you register. Check your spam box if you don't see it.