The World Languages Blog
Language families · Similarities of language · Curiosities
Fundamentals
Language Categories Explained: Families, Branches, and Isolates
Not all languages are created equal — some belong to sprawling families with hundreds of relatives, others stand completely alone. Here's how linguists organise the world's languages.
2026-03-28
Fundamentals
How Are Languages Classified? A Quick Guide
Genealogy isn't the only way to classify languages. Typology groups them by structure — and the results cut across family lines in surprising ways.
2026-03-25
Fundamentals
What Is a Language Family?
Languages don't exist in isolation — they come in families, descended from common ancestors. Here's how linguists figure out who's related to whom.
2025-01-15