Here's the breakdown:
* Ancient Greeks: They considered themselves the pinnacle of civilization and culture.
* Other Cultures: People from other cultures, whose languages sounded different to them, were seen as "outsiders."
* "Bar-bar": The sound of foreign languages, especially those with consonant clusters, was often perceived by the Greeks as a repeated "bar-bar" sound.
This label was initially used to describe any non-Greek-speaking people, often with a sense of disdain. Later, it evolved to describe people seen as uncivilized or uncultured by those in power.
It's important to note that the term "barbarian" has a long and complex history, often used with negative connotations.