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The archaeology of language (ad-free) (Patreon)

Published:
2026-04-21 05:15:02
Imported:
2026-04
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Helen Geake and Martyn Williams are in conversation with linguist, writer and broadcaster Danny Bate. His new book, 'Why Q Needs U', invites you to get to grips with the complexities of language and how tracing its roots can help us discover more about the past.

Danny's book is available to buy now in the UK. You'll be able to get it in the USA in June.

Comments

Steve Prowse

I've just watched a fascinating Robwords and this came up I normally don't listen to audio only podcasts, various neuro diverse reasons, but mad an exception as etymology and archaeology are in the top 5 of my interests.

Alan McMillan

A fascinating subject. So many threads to follow.

Mark & Jill Jefson

That was very intriguing. Thanks for another brilliant podcast. Hmm, is podcast one word or two?

Pam

Fascinating, I have just started to learn Welsh so the bits about Latin fossilised in the Welsh language particularly intriguing. I look forward to more on this subject.

Michael Crouch

What a thoroughly engaging guest and subject. I am definitely reading that book and adding it to my collection of volumes by Mark Forsyth (The Etymologicon, The Horologicon and The Elements of Eloquence). P

Anja Adam

I just ordered the book! Now I have to be patient, because delivery will probably take one to two weeks. That's quite a challenge for me.

Richard Linley

One. It's a portmanteau of "pod" (from "iPod") and "broadcast".

Diantha Weilepp

I've got to get that book Wonderful interview!

Welshboy007

I bought the book as I listened, now have to patiently await delivery.

Lilli Haicken

Okay, another book to look for on this side of the pond. Language, and specifically onomastics (name stuff) is a passion!

Mary Lu

This was so interesting. I love the study of languages as a sort of hobby. And I love history, so this was a real gift. Thanks to the three of you for this podcast. 💙💙💙

Helena McGinty

I have had, for years, a book called simply The Alphabet by David Sacks. It goes through each letter in the English Alphabet. Interesting but limited to the (then) known history of the letters. Danny's book sounds absolutely fascinating.

Elaine P

Really so enjoyed this, and like others will be adding this book to my shopping list forthwith. Echoing another commenter, the bit about Latin within Welsh was a bit mindblowing, but is that kind of adoption rather to be expected? English has been very flexible is in its inclusion and adoption of words of other languages but is that more expressive of a cultural attitude? I am then reminded of the effort to keep French French, or at least identify words that are not French. Anyway, absolutely loved this, the author was wonderful, will probably listen again as there was so much to think of.

Kara Hidden

What a fun episode. Helen asked about how languages become more complex.... years ago I read a fascinating book called the Evolution of Language that talked about that. It explained the various principles of language change that we see active in living languages today, and hypothesized about how those same principles might explain the evolution of language from its most simple early roots. Been a long time so I don't remember much detail, but I might have to find it again, because I remember it was absolutely fascinating.

Simon Orchard

So glad Vindolanda got a mention. I've been fortunate enough to find ink writing tablets there myself, well, fragments of them at least, but i could see there was writing on them before they were whisked away to start the long process of conservation and research. Last year, the first tablet fragments appeared at the trust's other site, Magna Roman fort. Proving that Vindolanda isn't just a one off.

Rebecca Clark

Thank you for this fascinating episode.I will also be looking to get the book.

kattya

When is the book available in Australia

N Hansen

I'm inclined to think the standard alphabet is fairly stagnant short of emojis somehow finding themselves into the alphabet.

N Hansen

I don't listen to audio only that much myself, unless I'm doing something else at the same time. I do have a mild interest in language etymology. I've found it useful in trying to figure out why we convert words from different languages.

Dr Richard Mellish

I am not altogether convinced about the prestige of the Roman alphabet and reluctance to add to it. We did add J, W and Y, and we split U and V. Also at one time we added thorn, eth and wynn from the runic alphabet, and it was mainly the importation of print technology from the Continent that cause those letters to disappear from English.

John Oaks

I would imagine that the reason ancient people weren’t buried with written artifacts is the same as it is today. I buried my mother a few years ago and can barely conceive of someone far in the future “digging her up”, let alone being curious about who she was, what her life was like, etc. I expect my mother’s grave to remain undisturbed until the end of time! I don’t think ancient people thought any differently. Archaeology is a relatively new thing and I acknowledge its importance in understanding the past. I don’t think our ancient ancestors would have been so keen on the idea.

Cheryl

So interesting. The book is available now in the U.S. I was even able to borrow the ebook from the library.

Dinah Sanders

What a magnificent conversation!