Language Families of the World Season 1 Episode 9 Languages of the Fertile Crescent and Beyond II
- TV-PG
- June 1, 2020
- 27 min
Languages of the Fertile Crescent and Beyond II is the ninth episode of the first season of Language Families of the World. In this episode, viewers will explore the vast array of languages spoken in the region often referred to as the cradle of civilization. This area includes modern-day Iraq, Syria, and Iran.
The episode begins by delving into the ancient history of this region. Viewers will learn about the Sumerian language, one of the world's oldest known writing systems and spoken languages. The episode will then explore other ancient languages that were spoken in the area, such as Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian.
The episode will then move on to the Semitic languages of the Fertile Crescent. These are the languages spoken by people in regions around Mesopotamia. The episode will explore these languages by examining their shared features and their differences. The Semitic languages include Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic.
Next, the episode will focus on Persian, a language spoken in modern-day Iran. Viewers will learn about the Persian language's structure and its usage in poetry and literature.
The episode will then move on to Kurdish, a language spoken in parts of Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Syria. This language is unique because it belongs to the Indo-European language family, whereas most of the other languages spoken in the region belong to the Semitic family.
Finally, the episode will explore other languages spoken in the region, such as Armenian, Azeri, and Turkmen. The episode will highlight how these languages are different from one another and how they connect with other languages spoken around the world.
Throughout the episode, viewers will see interviews with linguists and language experts who will provide insights into the history and structure of each language. Additionally, the episode will feature footage of people speaking the languages in everyday settings.
By the end of the episode, viewers will have gained a broader understanding of the vast array of languages spoken in the Fertile Crescent and how these languages connect to one another and to languages spoken around the world. They will have a newfound appreciation for the region's linguistic diversity and the unique features of each language.