How do languages change over time, and what can those changes tell us about human history, culture, and migration? This episode offers a definitive, conceptually complete exploration of Historical Linguistics, the branch of linguistics dedicated to tracing the evolution of languages through systematic and law-governed change.

Beginning with a clear definition of the field, the episode explains the fundamental principles that govern language change, including sound change, semantic shift, morphological restructuring, and grammatical simplification. Central methods, such as the comparative method and internal reconstruction, are examined in depth, showing how linguists establish genetic relationships among languages and reconstruct ancient proto-languages belonging to families such as Indo-European, Afroasiatic, and Sino-Tibetan. Landmark discoveries like Grimm’s Law are discussed to demonstrate how regular sound correspondences underpin the scientific credibility of historical linguistics.

The episode also traces the historical development of English, from its Germanic origins through Latin and French influence to its modern global form, offering a concrete case study of linguistic evolution in action. Along the way, it highlights how linguistic evidence functions as a vital archive of human civilisation, revealing patterns of contact, conquest, migration, and cultural exchange.

Designed for UG and PG students, teachers, and serious learners, this episode moves beyond memorisation to build genuine conceptual mastery. By the end, listeners will not only understand the core concepts and tools of historical linguistics but also appreciate why the study of language change remains central to linguistics and the humanities at large.