undefined

Laura Spinney

Science writer and journalist. Author of 'Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global'.

Top 5 podcasts with Laura Spinney

Ranked by the Snipd community
undefined
66 snips
Apr 24, 2025 • 43min

The Birth of Indo-European

Laura Spinney, a science journalist and author of 'Proto,' dives into the fascinating world of Indo-European languages and their origins. She explores the evolution from Proto-Indo-European roots to modern languages like Latin and Sanskrit. Spinney discusses the complexities of linguistic history, emphasizing diverse origins rather than a single starting point. Also highlighted are the techniques used by linguists and archaeologists to unravel ancient languages and the impact of the Yamnaya culture on language evolution and trade.
undefined
19 snips
Apr 21, 2025 • 46min

Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global, with Laura Spinney

Laura Spinney, a renowned science writer and journalist, is joined by global historian Caroline Dodds Pennock to explore the fascinating legacy of Proto-Indo-European, the ancient tongue that influenced countless modern languages. They discuss how this prehistoric language spread across continents due to trade and migration. The duo also unravels the intricate relationship between language evolution and human movement, revealing how wheeled vehicles played a pivotal role in cultural exchange. Their insights shed light on the connections between language, identity, and history.
undefined
15 snips
May 17, 2025 • 1h 1min

Laura Spinney: rise of the proto-Indo-Europeans

Laura Spinney, a Paris-based British author and science journalist, dives into the fascinating origins of the Indo-European languages. She discusses the revolutionary role of paleogenetics in understanding these ancient people's migrations. Spinney explores the ongoing debates about the proto-Indo-European homeland, weighing archaeological versus linguistic perspectives. The conversation also touches on the unique journey of the Albanian language and the significance of storytelling in connecting cultures throughout history.
undefined
8 snips
Apr 30, 2025 • 56min

Laura Spinney, "Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global" (Bloomsbury, 2025)

In this enlightening conversation, Laura Spinney, a British science journalist based in France, unravels the astonishing journey of the Proto-Indo-European language. She reveals how this ancient tongue influenced half of humanity’s languages today. Spinney discusses the Yamnaya culture’s pivotal role in language evolution and highlights the interplay of migration, culture, and identity. Additionally, she explores the intriguing concept of 'ghost' languages and the critical need to document fading tongues, making it clear that language shapes our very existence.
undefined
Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 2min

Laura Spinney - How One Ancient Language Went Global

Laura Spinney, a science journalist and author of 'Proto', dives into the captivating story of Proto-Indo-European, the ancient language that shaped much of the world today. She discusses the linguistic journey from the Black Sea to regions like Scotland and China, emphasizing how migrations and cultural exchanges influenced language evolution. Spinney also unpacks the vital role of the Yamnaya people in this spread, challenging notions of violent conquest, and highlights how language intertwines with identity and historical narratives across diverse civilizations.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app