The present article introduces related languages and their classifications. The study of various languages has led to the assumption that some languages are related, that they have developed from a common source. This assumption came to be confirmed in large part through the linguistic situation in Western Europe. In 1786 William Jones, an English jurist in India, observed that Sanskrit, the ancient, learned language of India, was systematically similar to Greek and Latin, to his native language, and to earlier forms of English. This observation had been made before, without widespread effect. After Jones’ statement, however, scholars in Europe began systematic comparison of older forms of English and German with Latin, Greek, Sanskrit and other languages. Their work in the Indo-European family led to the development of historical linguistics as a discipline. This article gives an intensive introduction on Indo-European languages by examining Germanic languages and proceeds to examine German language, its background and historical changes until World War II. Also, part of this treatise deals with the impact of Latin, Greek and French languages on German languages.
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