This Incredible Map Shows How Language REALLY Spread Around The World

It’s easy to tell how similar some European languages are (who hasn’t mixed up grazie and gracias?), but have you ever stopped to think about how language spread across each country?

It turns out that it flows like wine from the bottle.

This fascinating map shows how the roots of languages spoken in Europe influences them today.

This map shows how language flows like wine from a bottle

By mapping each language’s spelling of the word ‘wine’, it’s simple to determine the root of the language. Roots shown on the map, created by the Reddit user Homesanto, include Greek, Arabic, Mongolian, Persian and Turkish.

One of the most important phrases to know in any language is how to order a drink, and this map will definitely help you to do so.

Many of the words for wine are remarkably similar, and it’s possible to see how many languages come from a common root.

The word for wine is remarkably similar country to country

Latin, for instance, influences almost all of Europe. Variations on the Latin word vinum include the Russian vino, French vin, German wein, Welsh gwin and of course English wine.

Other countries have been influenced by the Arabic language origin of srb, meaning ‘to drink’. These include Turkey’s sarap and Tunisia’s srab.

Budapest stands alone with bor, which developed from Middle Persian via Turkic.

You’ll never be stuck ordering a glass of wine again.
If you enjoyed this article, why not check out the great pieces in our Explore Your World Through Language campaign.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.