By one count, there are 7,000 different spoken languages in use around the world today. A language is more than just a medium for exchanging information. It is the embodiment of a culture, a people, and its history. All these different languages have a unique story behind them, and today we would like to tell a few of them.

We begin with the most spoken language in the world: Chinese, which also happens to be one of the oldest alive in the world today. It originated in the early days of Chinese civilization around 1500 B.C. as a way to record events and the results of special kinds of predictions using turtle shells. The characters were carved onto hard surfaces such as turtle shells, giving the script the name jiagu text, with "gu" meaning bone. Jiagu text and other early texts sometimes closely resembled the objects they described, with characters that bear a striking resemblance to modern Chinese characters. Throughout history, there have been various script styles, from jiagu text to kaishu, the font seen on computer screens today. Chinese calligraphy is truly an art form, akin to painting or sculpture. While it may seem like merely writing a few words on paper, it is a tradition that spans centuries, if not millennia.

Next, we’ll dive into the long history of the German Language. whose roots date back approximately 5,000 years. A thousand years later, similarities in languages across Europe emerged, forming what was known as the Indo-Germanic language group. Although predominantly based on consonants, it was not yet a unified language. For instance, the word for "seeing," which is "sehen" today, was pronounced differently back then. 

Between 800 and 500 B.C., the first Germanic language, known as "Althochdeutsch" or Old High German, emerged. This language lacked strict grammatical rules, allowing for flexibility in word order to convey meaning. Emperor Charlemagne or Karl der Große, played a significant role in promoting and standardizing this language across the empire. Changes in pronunciation, such as "p" becoming "pf" and "k" becoming "ch," were observed during this time. Subsequently, emphasis and grammar began to develop, leading to the era of "Mittelhochdeutsch" or Middle High German, which spanned from 1050 to 1350 A.C. This period can be divided into early, classic, and late periods, although a standardized written form had not yet been established. While Latin was predominantly used in books and documents, Middle High German was heavily influenced by French, incorporating accents and evolving pronunciation. For example, the written version included words like Hûs, meaning rabbit. Dialectical variations persisted, making communication challenging even between individuals living in close proximity. The transition to "Frühneuhochdeutsch" or Early New High German occurred between 1350 and 1650, resulting in the gradual disappearance of many dialects and a convergence toward a more standardized form of the language. Today dialects still do exist, yet their prevalence decreased over time. This period marked the first significant influence of hundreds of  languages on German, with European and American languages shaping its evolution. Today, the word for saying something is “sagen”, this time they said “saggen”, so the same word, but with a short “a”. The current phase, "Neuhochdeutsch" or New High German, has been greatly impacted by globalization and cultural exchange. The influx of new words, shifts in emphasis, and changes in pronunciation have added complexity and uniqueness to the language. The integration of scientific advancements has also influenced language development, enabling the creation of specialized terms like "DNA-replication."

The incorporation of foreign words and the emergence of inner linguistic pluralism, or innere Mehrsprachigkeit, have enriched the German language. For example, I could call ice cream “Das Eis” (German), “ice cream” (English), “la glace” (French), or “Bīng qí lín” (Chinese). That means that I experience the word from more than one side. That is to say, multilingualism has become more prevalent, with individuals adopting words from various languages into their vocabulary. The influence of youth culture, including the adoption of English-based terms and the rise of emojis, continues to shape contemporary German language usage. There is a ranking of the most popular youth words , or Jugendsprache,  in our news and one word becomes part of the official  dictionary, Duden. As German continues to evolve, it may embrace new influences from diverse regions and fields, reflecting a dynamic and ever-changing linguistic landscape. Language development is an ongoing process, characterized by adaptation and enrichment from external sources.

And now, we’ll explore the incredible journey of the Russian language whose history spans almost a thousand years. Throughout its existence, it has undergone many changes that are evident in the modern language. The history of the Russian language is divided by scientists into three periods: Old Russian (VI-XIV centuries), Great Russian (XIV-XVII centuries), and the period of the national Russian language (from the middle of the 17th century). Modern lexical and grammatical norms of the Russian language emerged as a result of the long-term interaction of various East Slavic dialects that existed on the Great Russian territory and the Church Slavonic language, which originated from the adaptation of the first Christian books. A significant portion of the Russian vocabulary consists of words of Greek and Turkic origin. For instance, words like "diamond," "fog," and "pants" originated from the Turkic language, while words like "crocodile," "bench," and "beet" have Greek origins. It is well-known that many names given at baptism in Russia came from Greece, including names of Greek origin like Catherine or Feodor, as well as names of Hebrew origin like Ilya or Maria. In the 16th-17th centuries, the main source of new words in the Russian language was Polish. This led to the introduction of words of Latin, Germanic, and Romance origin such as "algebra," "dance," and "powder," as well as directly borrowed Polish words like "bank" and "duel" into the language.

The modern Russian alphabet, consisting of thirty-three letters in the familiar form, has been in existence since 1918 and was officially approved in 1942. Prior to this, the alphabet officially had thirty-one letters, as "Ë" was equated with "E" and "Y" with "I."The modern Russian language, also known as the literary language, emerged in the 17th-18th centuries. In 1918, a reform removed the letters "decimal i," "fita," and "yat" from the alphabet, introducing the letters "i," "f," and "e" respectively. Additionally, the use of a hard sign at the ends of words was abolished. It became customary to write the letter "s" before voiceless consonants and "z" before vowels and voiced consonants in prefixes. Other changes were also made regarding the use of endings in different case forms and the replacement of certain word forms with more modern ones. New words continue to enter the Russian language, with many coming from English. This is how the Russian language has evolved over many centuries.

Swahili, also known as Kiswahili, is a language spoken in Kenya and other East African countries, with a fascinating history! The language emerged as a way of communication between Arab traders and Bantu-speaking communities in the 7th century, resulting in a mix of Arabic, Bantu, Persian, and Portuguese words. Over time, Swahili interacted with European languages such as Portuguese, introducing new vocabulary, while the Oman Sultanate influenced many aspects of governance, law, and Islamic scholarship. During the colonial era, Swahili served as a lingua franca for diverse ethnic groups along the East African coast.

Following Kenya's independence from colonial rule in the 1960s, Swahili was established as a national language, taught in schools, and recognized as an official language alongside English, with the government working to standardize its grammar and spelling for easier use in administration, education, and media. Swahili has continued to evolve, incorporating loanwords from various languages, including English, due to globalization and technological advancements. It remains an essential component of Kenyan identity and culture, spoken by millions of people across the country in both urban and rural areas. Swahili literature, music, and film contribute to its ongoing cultural significance and evolution.

And finally, we’ll introduce a lesser-known but no less impressive language. Sinhala, sometimes referred to as Sinhalese, is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the people of Sri Lanka, with a population of approximately 16 million.According to the Mahawansa, which is considered the earliest historical record of the region and is written in Pali, it is believed that Prince Vijaya from the Vanga Kingdom (Bengal) visited the country, influencing the development of the language.The evolution of Sinhala can be categorized into four main epochs, namely Elu Prakrit (3rd century BCE to 4th century CE), Proto-Sinhala (4th century CE to 8th century CE), Medieval Sinhala (8th century CE to 13th century CE), and Modern Sinhala (13th century CE to the present). The similarities between old Sinhala and modern Sinhala with words from Sanskrit, Persian, French, German, Greek, Gothic, and Latin languages suggest a rich history of linguistic influences. This can be attributed to the interactions with visitors from various countries over time, leading to a diverse vocabulary in Sinhala.

The Sinhala language also has unique words that are exclusive to its vocabulary. The script of Sinhala originally derived from Brahmi script, with early examples found in caves where Buddhist monks resided. Notably, the Sigiriya rock fortress contains graffiti and songs created by ancient Sri Lankans, providing valuable insights into the early literature of Sinhala. Buddhism has played a significant role in the development of the Sinhala language. With the introduction of Pali texts by Lord Buddha and the subsequent need to study them, combined with interactions with visitors from different cultures, the Sinhala language gradually evolved into its modern form, incorporating elements from various linguistic traditions.

We are inspired an awed by the incredible history of the world’s languages and their role in human development. To think, without languages we wouldn’t be able to communicate and the world would be a silent, empty place with no possibility of friendship, love or any of the things we so value.