Re: [tied] How to prepare academically for working with PIE?

A basis in Latin and Greek - at some level - is essential for PIE, as is a
basis in Sanskrit, at least an understanding of the basic morphology of the
language. But PIE has suffered from an over-preponderance of scholars who
have had these three languages, and too little of Celtic, Baltic/Slavic or
Hittite, let alone languages whose evidence is harder to interpret, such as
Tocharian, Armenian and Albanian. So what should you get to know next?
After Latin, Greek and Sanskrit, anything! I'd recommend improving your
historical Latin, Greek dialects and Vedic Sanskrit, while also following
your interests outside those languages. Perhaps it depends what
opportunities come to hand. Any sound knowledge of another language group
will be helpful.

The suggestion that Hittite is more important than Gothic (or Lithuanian or
Celtic) may not necessarily be right - though perhaps a quick overview of
all language groups is necessary. Try Ramat and Ramat, or at a much
simipler level, Baldi.

Peter