Classification of Languages: Genealogical Classification

byAmrita Ganeriwalla

All the languages of the world can be grouped together based on certain qualities and similarities. This helps linguists and other scientists study the languages themselves as well as the cultures to which the languages belong. In this three-part series, AMRITA GANERIWALLA, a class 12 student of Bombay International School, Mumbai, throws light on the three basic ways to classify all the languages in the world. In the second part of the series, we look at genealogical classification.

Classification of Languages: Genealogical Classification

This type of classification shows the historical connections between languages. In genealogical classification, also called genetic classification, languages are grouped based on how they developed and evolved throughout history. The word ‘genetic’ is associated with ‘genesis’ or ‘origin�