Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
ursprache
Noun
/ˈuːərˌʃprɑːkə/
Definition
A hypothetical or reconstructed ancient language from which a group of related languages is thought to have evolved.
Examples
- The concept of Ursprache is significant in historical linguistics, as it helps linguists understand language family trees.
- Scholars often debate which characteristics define an Ursprache among related languages.
- Many languages, such as the Romance languages, trace their roots back to an Ursprache like Latin.
Meaning
The term refers to a primary language that is considered the ancestor of various languages that share common features.
Synonyms
- Proto-language
- Root language
- Ancestral language
