AltaikHypothese

AltaikHypothese is a historical hypothesis in comparative linguistics proposing that several language families of Eurasia belong to a single genetic lineage. The proposal most commonly includes Turkic, Mongolic, and Tungusic languages, with some formulations additionally including Koreanic and Japonic languages. The name derives from the Altai region, a geographic marker used by early proponents to group these languages.

The hypothesis originated in the late 19th to early 20th century, gaining prominence in that era as linguists sought to classify Eurasian tongues. Vilhelm Thomsen is often credited with helping popularize the idea, although the exact provenance and early formulations vary by scholar. For much of the 20th century the AltaikHypothese was widely debated and remained controversial.

In modern linguistic consensus, the broad Altaic family is not widely accepted as a proven genetic grouping. Most historical-comparative linguists consider the similarities among Turkic, Mongolic, and Tungusic languages to be the result of long-standing contact, areal features, or parallel development rather than a single common ancestor. Some scholars continue to explore strengthened or restricted versions, and a contemporary alternative is the Transeurasian hypothesis, which proposes a wider macrofamily including Japonic and Koreanic, among others, but this view is also contested.

In practice, the concept remains part of the scholarly discourse as a historical hypothesis and a case study in the challenges of long-range linguistic classification. See also Altaic languages, Turkic languages, Mongolic languages, Tungusic languages, Koreanic languages, Japonic languages, Transeurasian hypothesis.