159. Laura Spinney: How Languages Are Reshaping Our World
from Brad Carr Podcast Hosted by Brad Carr
Laura Spinney, author of Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global, discusses the power of Proto-Indo-European languages in our world today. She is a science journalist working at the intersection of linguistics, archaeology, and genetics. Laura Spinney's book: https://amzn.to/44ZWFZ7 Laura Spinney's website: https://www.lauraspinney.com/ Brad's microphone: https://amzn.to/4jVOjqq 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to help get more guests on the show: https://goo.gl/uEAeNp
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Chapters
- 0:00 In This Episode
- 0:23 Introducing Laura Spinney
- 1:18 Biggest Event in 5,000 Years
- 2:06 1984 and How Language Shapes Thought
- 4:32 Imported Words
- 5:51 Language as Identity
- 7:05 Code Words and Shibboleth
- 8:26 Unity in Languages
- 9:51 Genetics and Aryans
- 16:45 Intersecting Linguistics, Archaeology, Paleogenetics
- 21:52 Writing About Unwritten Language
- 24:59 How Languages Change
- 31:54 The Joy of Words
- 33:47 Hypothetical Words
- 35:31 How Myths Guide Linguists
- 37:48 How Myths Change
- 39:51 J.R.R. Tolkien and Language
- 43:43 How Languages Evolve
- 45:25 How War in Ukraine Affects Research
- 48:08 The Past Is a Lighthouse Not a Port
- 48:57 Vladimir Putin's Views on Language
- 49:57 English: The Global Language
- 53:36 Leaders In Linguistics
- 56:38 Laura Spinney Online
- 57:12 Laura Spinney's Journey
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This episode is 59 minutes long.
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This episode was published on January 6, 2026.
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