What is the oldest European spoken language in the world today?

Answer 1

Basque

Answer 2

In spite of the multiple negative votes, Lithuanian and Basque are better contenders than Latin and Greek. If Achaean is still spoken, that is a contender. If you want a fun discussion of older languages look at the latter two books in the Island in the Sea of Time trilogy by S.M.Stirling. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._M._Stirling
Of course, one of the problems is defining a European language, since the source of (especially) north European languages was invaders from Asia.

Answer 3

It depends on whether you are asking for the oldest "spoken language" still spoken today, or spoken at some point in time.

If you are asking about a living language that has been spoken for the longest period of time, it is definitely Greek. Greek has not changed very much from ancient times, either in script, or I think, grammar. Latin is a dead language, and even otherwise, I doubt it is the oldest European language.

If you mean the oldest European language spoken ever, it could easily be either proto-Germanic, spoken by the ancestors of the Germanic people (including the Anglo-Saxons, Germans...), or perhaps an ancient Celtic tongue.

Answer 4

Probably Basque and perhaps with Welsh as runner-up.

Basque is unique and appears to be unrelated to any other known language.

Welsh is a Gaelic language that sprang from the same root as Irish and Scottish Gaelic.

Answer 5

Greek, Italian dialects, German, North Europe dialects are older, but already had influence from different sources.

Latin, spoken in Vatican still with almost no changes since roman period and there are many people capable to speak, write and read in this language.

Answer 6

its basques language. it said to be a father of Celtic and also said to be one of the toughest languages to learn. more info here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque_language

PS Latin isnt spoken language for a long time now. no one even knows how it sounds )))

Answer 7

I'd say Greek. Modern Greek is a bit different from Ancient Greek, but the basics are there.

Latin isn't spoken anymore--not as a language of a country--so it doesn't count, I wouldn't think.

Answer 8

I read recently that there are isolated villages in the 'toe' of Italy where a form of Achean is spoken, and the Achean language dates from the time of Homers' Iliad and the seige of Troy

Answer 9

I think that you find this to be Lithuanian. It is one of the family of Indo-European languages and it's structure is valued by those who study linguistics. The grammer of this language is notoriously difficult as I am finding.

Answer 10

Greek