The Power of Language: A Linguistic History of Central and Eastern Europe

Catalog description

This course traces the history of languages in Central and Eastern Europe, exploring how they have shaped the region's cultural and political landscapes. From the early roots of linguistic traditions to the multilingual empires and the emergence of national languages, we will examine how language has been both a force for unity and a source of division. Through historical texts, maps, and case studies, we will uncover the ways in which language has created cultural communities, influenced identities, fueled state-building efforts, and played a role in political struggles. By the end of the course, students will gain a richer understanding of how language has been at the heart of Central and Eastern Europe’s history.