This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7911645.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
'Oldest English words' identified 'Oldest English words' identified
(about 7 hours later)
Some of the oldest words in the English and other Indo-European languages have been identified, scientists believe.Some of the oldest words in the English and other Indo-European languages have been identified, scientists believe.
Reading University researchers say "I", "we", "two" and "three" are among the oldest in use - "one" came along later. Reading University researchers say "I", "we", "two" and "three" are among the oldest in use and could date back thousands of years.
Using a computer model, the team analysed the rate of change of words and say they can predict which are likely to become extinct.Using a computer model, the team analysed the rate of change of words and say they can predict which are likely to become extinct.
"Squeeze", "guts", "stick" and "bad" are among those that they believe will become obsolete first. They believe "squeeze", "guts", "stick" and "bad" could become obsolete first.
The researchers' computer program catalogues how modern Indo-European words have changed through the ages, and enables students to type in any date and see which words were in at the time. The researchers' computer programme catalogues how modern Indo-European words have changed through the ages, and enables students to type in any date and see which words were used at the time.
It is also able to look forward and predict how words are likely to change in the future. You wouldn't be able to discuss anything very complicated, but it might be enough to get you out of a tight spot Research leader Mark Pagel
Using the program, the researchers found that words that are used most commonly - or have very precise meanings - tend to be the oldest and most long-lasting. Someone living today would be able to communicate in basic terms with someone living thousands of years ago - such as in the Stone Age - but would have difficulty with more complex concepts, the study found.
Research leader Mark Pagel, of the University of Reading, told the Times newspaper: "If a time traveller wanted to go back in time to a specific date, we could probably draw up a little phrasebook of the modern words that are likely to have sounded similar back then.
"You wouldn't be able to discuss anything very complicated, but it might be enough to get you out of a tight spot."
The computer programme is also able to look forward and predict how words are likely to change in the future.
Using the programme, the researchers found words that were used most commonly - or had very precise meanings - tended to be the oldest and most long-lasting.