Geography
Why Certain Languages Spread Along Trade Diaspora Routes
Quick fact
The Sogdians, a people from Central Asia, never had a powerful empire, yet their language became a lingua franca on the Silk Road for centuries, influencing scripts and vocabulary across Asia. Similarly, overseas Chinese communities have maintained their languages for generations, creating trade diasporas that outlasted regimes.
Why this is interesting
You've probably heard that armies and colonizers spread languages—but what about merchants? How can a handful of traders change what millions of people speak?