Indo-European Studies in the Press
Two articles regarding Indo-European Studies demonstrate the interdisciplinary co-operation in the field, and contribute to the mapping of the origins of European and Danish languages:
Birgit Anette Rasmussen has been interviewed by Weekendavisen about the arrival of the Proto-Slavic language in Europe and its origins: Vogn, hjul og uld. Weekendavisen, Feb 12th, 2016
Birgit A. Rasmussen gives an overview on how the interdisciplinary co-operation between archaeology, genetics and linguistics is to shed light on that issue: Archaeology can provide us with information about extinct languages or languages with no written sources. Genetics contributes with knowledge about migrations, e.g. by mapping the genetics of human remains found in Northern Germany. The references made in the article are from a newly published book: The linguistic Roots of Europe. Origins and Development of European Languages, Birgit A. Rasmussen being one of the editors.
Guus Kroonen has been interviewed by Politiken about his research results from his co-operation with archaeologist Rune Iversen: Culture exchange has formed the Danish Language. Politiken, Feb 22nd, 2016
Earlier research has assumed that the language of the Indo-Europeans was adopted on their arrival by the local cultures. Kroonen and Iversen show in their research that the Indo-European cattle-herders were more likely to exchange cultures with the local peasant-culture, and words from the peasant-culture were mixed with the cattle-herders’ vocabulary. Probably, the reminiscence of hunter-gatherers was also dwelling alongside with other groups. The purpose of the study is to prove that these different culture groups have affected each other’s language and culture and that over time they have evolved into a new culture.