glottochronology

Glottochronology is a method used in historical linguistics to estimate the age of languages and how they have evolved over time. It analyzes the rate at which words in a language change and are replaced by new words. By comparing related languages, researchers can calculate when they diverged from a common ancestor. This approach helps linguists understand the history of languages, migration patterns of people, and cultural exchanges. Although it provides valuable insights, the method has limitations and can be influenced by factors like geographical and social contexts that affect language change.