Why languages don't "merge" in Europe

[papuolo]

Originally Posted by survivingearth

Not the same.

Right, very ignorant statement.

[papuolo]

Originally Posted by survivingearth

Ok take Belgium for example as you get close to the Netherlands people start speaking flemish with is similar to dutch...You get close to Germany , guess what , entire city with people that speaks German. That doesn't happen with most of European countries(exclude, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg) ...Why do you think?

Languages have merged during the last 2500 years. 2500 years ago, there were probably 3000 languages, most of which we know nothing about.

[slowlane3]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Here's a good transitional zone for you; western Ukraine. The language is more heavily Russian-influenced than in eastern Ukraine. I don't think that occurred as part of a calculated program. How Ukraine's eastern border got drawn (except Crimea--let's leave that out of the discussion!) would be interesting to know.
.

Ruth, thanks, but dont you have it backwards. Isn,t it Eastern Ukraine thats more tied to Russia, and has many Russian settlers and Russian speakers.... While much of western Ukraine, until 1945 or later, was a part of Poland, is Catholic, and that region wants to join the E.U.