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What can the evolution of language reveal about the societies that shaped it—and were shaped by it? In History and Language, five distinguished historians offer compelling perspectives on how the study of language - its usage, development, and social function - can serve as a powerful lens through which to understand the complexities of historical change. Rather than treating language as a passive medium, the film positions it as an active force in the construction of knowledge, identity, and power. Featuring insightful commentary from David Armitage (Harvard University), John Dunn (University of Cambridge), Martin Jay (UC Berkeley), Maria Mavroudi (UC Berkeley), and Darrin McMahon (Dartmouth College), the documentary explores how unpacking the meanings of words, the contexts in which they are used, and the political or philosophical ideas embedded within them can transform our understanding of the past. David Armitage introduces the concept of “sedimented meanings,” arguing that key historical terms—like “liberty,” “sovereignty,” or “revolution”—carry layers of meaning that have built up over centuries. Understanding these layers is essential not only to accurately interpret historical texts, but also to grasp the intellectual heritage that informs modern political thought. Martin Jay discusses language as an essential part of the historian’s toolbox. He explains how our current ways of thinking are often built upon older conceptual frameworks, and how historical inquiry into the evolution of key terms can reveal a far more nuanced picture of the present—undermining simplistic binaries and black-and-white narratives. Maria Mavroudi sheds light on the rich cultural and intellectual exchange between Arab and Greek traditions. Through her study of Arab-Greek bilingualism in the medieval world, she reveals how multilingual societies transmit values and knowledge systems across time and space—often in ways that challenge modern assumptions about cultural divides and intellectual history. While John Dunn and Darrin McMahon reflect on the political and ideological power of language in shaping collective memory and historical consciousness, the film as a whole underscores a central idea: language is never neutral. It carries the weight of historical experience, cultural tension, and philosophical debate. To study history through language is to engage directly with how people of different eras understood themselves, their societies, and their place in the world. History and Language offers a timely and intellectually rigorous meditation on the ways in which words matter—not just as vehicles of expression, but as artifacts of the human experience. With its interdisciplinary approach and accessible insights, the film reveals how language and history are inextricably linked, and why understanding one can profoundly deepen our grasp of the other.