/lit/ - Literature

Is there a name for the literary motif of focusing on the lesser characters while the big guys are away doing something important?

I am mortally afraid of looking stupid.

A language that artificially makes people sound smarter and more sophisticated than they really are?

What is philosophy good for? Can you name even a single practical application for it?

Why do ESLs always say English is ugly, or that it's not as good at x thing be it talking about love, or insults? Do you think it's occurred to them the only reason they think these things is because English isn't their native language?

English: wĺ̥kʷos -> wulfaz -> wolf
Spanish: wĺ̥kʷos -> *lukʷos -> lupus -> lobo
Russian: wĺ̥kʷos -> wilkás -> vьlkъ -> вoлк

English: ḱwṓ -> ->ḱwn̥tós -> hundaz -> hound
Spanish: ḱwṓ -> canis -> can
Russian : ḱwṓ -> sǫka -> cýкa

English: wódr̥ -> watōr -> wæter -> water
Spanish: wódr̥ -> udōr -> unda -> onda
Russian: wódr̥ -> wandō -> voda -> вoдa

English: éǵh2 -> ek -> iċ -> I
Spanish: éǵh2 -> ego -> eo -> yo
Russian: éǵh2 -> (j)azъ -> я

Why the fuck do people just arbitrarily decide to change shit for no reason.

I'm interested in historical linguistics but my university doesn't offer it. I feel like a fraud without credentials, what are some other good ways to learn more about it?