Re: CHAT: oldest known records of vernacular languages [was Re:

Ray Brown scripsit:

> >> But if we're talking about the longest tradition of vernacular writing,
> >> then Greek beats all these youngsters by a long way.
> >
> > For sure.  Of languages written today, I suppose that only
> > Chinese beats it.
>
> I think that is so.
On second thought, I'm not so sure.  Greek has not diversified much
(excepting Tsakonian), but the writing traditions that lead from
Skt to its descendants must be about as old, although the age is
disguised by the change of language name.

--
John Cowan           http://www.ccil.org/~cowan        jcowan@reutershealth.com
To say that Bilbo's breath was taken away is no description at all.  There are
no words left to express his staggerment, since Men changed the language that
they learned of elves in the days when all the world was wonderful. --The Hobbit