uiteen, uit elkaar (uitvallen)

[logicgate]

It is from a text about linguistic evolution. What is the difference between using uit elkaar or uiteen here?

Later, viel de West Germaanse taal ook uiteen.

Later, viel de West Germaanse taal ook uit elkaar.

The verb is uitvallen, couldn't we just say

Later, viel de West Germaanse taal ook uit.

?

[LeSNT2]

The third sentence isn't possible because the verb isn't 'uitvallen', the verb is 'uiteenvallen' or '(uit elkaar) vallen'. The first two sentences means exactly the same. I would say (but that's my personal opinion) that 'uiteen' is a bit old fashioned, I'd rather use 'uit elkaar' instead of 'uiteen'. But again: that's my personal preference. 'Uiteen' isn't wrong or something. It's just a synonym.

Funny note: If you'd say: "Later viel de West Germaanse taal ook uit." you would say something about the West German language that becomes bald. 'Uitvallen' is normally used in combination with hair that falls out of your head (when you're getting bald or for animals for example). It could also mean to lash out to someone (or something).

[logicgate]

Thanks! It seems that uitvallen can also mean 'turn out to be' for instance in

Wat op papier zinvol lijkt, kan in de praktijk natuurlijk nogal gecompliceerd uitvallen.

In the meaning of fall out or fail it seems to be used, besides hairs, for electronics, systems, technical failures

De systemen zouden zo niet mogen uitvallen.

[LeSNT2]

You're right! So 'uitvallen' has many meanings. Only not the meaning you used in "Later viel de West Germaanse taal ook uit."

After I posted my previous answer I also come to a different meaning: when something is canceled. For example: "De geschiedenisles valt uit. De docent is ziek." (The history lesson is canceled. The teacher is ill.)

In the Dutch language we seem to love words with multiple meanings, very hard for second language learners