Linguistic map of Europe (1741)

This map, created by Gottfried Hensel in 1741 and restored by Jakub Marian In 2018, it was published by Homann Erben in his book. Synopsis of Universal Philology (Synopsis of universal philology).

The map shows the linguistic distribution of Europe. To do this, he writes the Lord's Prayer in the language used in each region and also uses the most popular printed typeface in each region at that time.

On the sides and at the bottom, the author includes the different alphabets and some of the most popular typefaces on the continent.

To understand the map correctly, it is important to put it into context. Hensel was greatly influenced by 17th-century linguistic theories, in which the myth of the Tower of Babel still carried a lot of weight. That is why the linguistic distribution presented in this map is not representative of the period and, possibly, of any specific moment in history, although it does mention languages that have been spoken in each place.

Here you can also see the linguistic map of Africa y the linguistic map of Asia, also by Hensel.

Sources


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