1. European Languages

2. Today’s Standards
SS6G11 The student will describe the cultural characteristics of Europe.
A. Explain the diversity of European languages as seen in a comparison of German, English, Russian, French, and Italian.
Essential Questions
How did Europe’s land formations help influence its many different languages?
Why has English become an important language in Europe?

3. Roman Empire Boundaries
Covered most of southern Europe, north Africa, and parts of the Middle East

4. Roman Empire
Built roads to connect all parts of the empire

5. Roman Empire
Roman Roads made it possible to trade across natural boundaries

6. Roman Empire
Shared an economy and language

7. Fall of Rome Trade routes were destroyed No more roads No more money
No more goods
No more common language

8. Confined by Natural Boundaries
Without roads, communication and trading was limited

9. New Cultures Countries begin to develop
New economies with local goods and money
New languages

10. New Languages

11. New Languages

12. Another Common Language
Europeans were without a common language for nearly years.
English exploration helped unite Europe

13. “The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire”
The British were able to obtain and ship goods all over the world.
People would have to speak English in order to trade

14. Notes Europe was once united by the Roman Empire.
Europeans shared a common economy, were able to trade goods, and shared a common language.
Without the Romans, there were no roads for trading, to goods to trade, and no money to buy goods with.
With no roads, people were separated by mountains, rivers, and long distances.
Over time, Latin was replaced by local languages.
Many languages made trading difficult.
Almost 2000 years later, the British Empire would make trading possible again.
English became the common language in Europe.
The British Empire helped reunite Europe.