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The Etymology of "Number" in the Albanian Language: A New Perspective

Linguists have long believed that the Albanian word for "number" derives from the Latin "numerus". However, a closer examination of the Albanian language's numerical system reveals a unique and fascinating etymology.
Counting and the Concept of "I"
In Albanian, the word for "one" is "nji" and "i" in Geg Albanian language, which represents a single unit or "I". This concept of "I" is central to the Albanian numbering system, where each "I" represents a single thing. For example, the number eleven would be represented by a series of 11 "I"s.
The Albanian numbering system is unitary, based on the concept of "I", and uses a combination of fingers and hands to represent numbers. The positions of the fingers on the hands are used to give meaning to their numbers, with each finger representing a single "I".
Archaeological Evidence
The archaeological discoveries in the Balkans, the Vinça culture have uncovered ancient artifacts featuring numerical symbols similar to the Albanian "I" system. These findings suggest that the Albanian numbering system may have roots in ancient cultures, predating Latin influence.
Linguistic Connections
The Albanian verb "marr" (take) is closely related to the concept of numeracy. In Albanian, "marr" means "to collect, to assign, to divide apart", similar to the ancient Greek μείρομαι (meíromai, "to take as part"). This linguistic connection highlights the importance of "taking" and "assigning" in the development of numerical systems.
The root of the word "numer" in Albanian is "MER", which can be broken down into "N" (attached preposition) and "MARR" (take, get). This etymology suggests that the concept of "number" in Albanian is closely tied to the idea of "taking" and "assigning" units.
The etymology of the word "number" in the Albanian language offers a new perspective on the development of numerical systems. By examining the unique features of the Albanian language and incorporating archaeological evidence, we can gain a deeper understanding of the roots of numeracy.
Copyright © 2024 Fatmir Iliazi





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