2min chapter

Conlangery Podcast cover image

Conlangery #89: Polysynthesis

Conlangery Podcast

CHAPTER

Poly Synthetic Languages

The term poly synthesis was developed in order to describe Native American languages. I would argue that we have one clear historical example of a language evolving into a poly synthetic language. And that is ancient Egyptian. Over time it became increasingly poly synthetic more and more things got glummed into the verb. All sorts of things collapsed until you get huge non-incorporation verb multiple arguments especially in causatives or hilarious giant pileups. Yes Mike has found a word that he likes and his looks like Welsh.

00:00

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode