Did the Romans Communicate Through Different Languages?

The ancient Romans did not all speak the same language. For those who did not understand Latin, the Romans relied on interpreters to facilitate communication. This article explores how the Romans communicated across linguistic barriers and the role of interpreters in their vast empire.

Evolution of Languages

Not all languages are considered to be invented; rather, they grow and evolve naturally, much like human society itself. Ancient languages, such as the prehistoric ones, are largely undocumented, with the oldest written languages being Ancient Egyptian, Sumerian, and Akkadian. While these early writing systems began the tradition of preserving human experience through language, it is important to note that invented languages have emerged since.

Invented Languages

The following list includes some notable invented languages:

Lingua Iota - Created by Hildegard van Bingen in the 12th century. Balaibalan - Developed by Falu l-Lāh Astar-ābādī in the 15th century. Several Philosophers' Languages - Created in the 17th century by various philosophers. Volapük - Invented by Johann Martin Schleyer in the 19th century. Esperanto - Developed by Ludwig Zamenhof. Interlingua - Created by the International Auxiliary Language Association. Solresol - Invented by Francis Sudre in the 19th century. Lojban - Created by the Logical Language Group. Ithkuil - Developed by John Quijada. Laadan - Invented by Susette Hayden Elgin. Lincos - Created by Hans Freudenthal in the 20th century. ROILA - Developed by the Eindhoven University of Technology in 2010.

Role of Latin in the Roman Empire

Latin served as the official language and the lingua franca of the Roman Empire. It was the common medium of communication used both in official and everyday contexts. However, as the empire expanded and incorporated various regions and peoples, the local dialects and languages remained distinct. These local variations of Latin, often referred to as Vulgar Latin, eventually led to the development of modern Romance languages such as Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian.

Communication Through Interpreters

The use of interpreters was a common practice among the Romans. In De Bello Gallico, Caesar himself mentions the use of "usual interpreters." This practice was not unique to Rome but also common in other ancient civilizations where speakers of different languages needed to communicate.

One of the driving forces behind the invention of languages like Esperanto in the 19th century was the idea that language barriers could be a cause of conflict. However, as historical examples such as the American Civil War, the English Civil War, and the French Wars of Religion demonstrate, ignorance of others' languages does not necessarily lead to war. Conflicts often arise from political differences and the refusal to accept differing political viewpoints.

Conclusion

The Romans did not all speak the same language; they employed interpreters to bridge the communication gap between different linguistic groups. While language can be a tool for understanding, it is clear that conflicts often stem from broader political and ideological differences rather than simple language barriers.