Comparative reconstruction is a method used in linguistics to infer the features of a language that is not directly attested. By comparing similarities and differences among related languages, linguists can deduce the characteristics of their common ancestor. This technique relies on the principle that languages evolve over time, leading to systematic changes in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. This approach is often applied to the study of Indo-European languages, where researchers analyze languages like Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit to reconstruct aspects of the proto-language. By identifying cognates—words that have a common origin—linguists can piece together the linguistic history and relationships among these languages.