Here's a breakdown:
* Akkadian: This is the Semitic language that was widely spoken throughout Mesopotamia, including Babylonia, from the early 3rd millennium BCE until its eventual decline around the 1st century CE.
* Babylonian: This is the specific dialect of Akkadian that was spoken in the region of Babylonia. It had its own unique characteristics, distinct from other Akkadian dialects like Assyrian.
While Akkadian was the main language, some other languages might have been spoken in the Neo-Babylonian period:
* Aramaic: This language gained significant importance in the region around the 8th century BCE and was increasingly used alongside Akkadian for administrative and commercial purposes. It eventually became the dominant language of the region after the fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
* Elamite: This non-Semitic language was spoken in the region of Elam (modern southwestern Iran) and had some influence in Babylonia.
It's important to note that the Neo-Babylonian period (c. 626–539 BCE) was a time of cultural and linguistic change. While Akkadian remained the primary language, the influence of Aramaic was growing, and the language landscape was becoming increasingly diverse.