Language classification is the process of grouping languages based on their similarities and differences. Linguists categorize languages into families, which are collections of languages that share a common ancestor. For example, the Indo-European family includes languages like English, Spanish, and Hindi, all of which have evolved from a shared root language. There are several methods for classifying languages, including genetic classification, which looks at historical relationships, and typological classification, which focuses on structural features. This helps researchers understand how languages develop over time and how they influence one another, providing insights into human communication and culture.