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Unraveling the Roots of 'Mickle' and 'Muckle': An Etymological Journey Through Albanian and Old Scots

Mickel and mickle.
The Northern Scottish saying "Many a mickle makes a muckle" has long puzzled linguists, who have struggled to pinpoint the origins of the words "mickle" and "muckle". While some have suggested that "mickle" is a corruption of "muckle", implying a shared root, a closer examination of the Albanian language reveals a more nuanced story.
In Albanian, "mickël" (small thing, trifle) and "madhe" (large, great) are two distinct words with different meanings. This challenges the prevailing view that "mickle" is a variant of "muckle", instead suggesting that they have separate etymological paths.
And 'muckle' is apparently a phonetic variation of the word 'madhe' in the Albanian language, which linguists think comes from Proto-Indo-European *m̥ǵh₂yós, from *méǵh₂s.
Further investigation reveals that the Albanian language has retained ancient words and meanings, potentially inherited from the Proto-Indo-European language. The connection between Albanian "mickël" and Scottish "mickle" may suggests also a linguistic exchange or borrowing, possibly through the Dardanian soldiers of the Roman Empire.

Who were the Dardanian soldiers?

The Dardanian soldiers were Balkan warriors recruited from the Dardanian tribe, an ancient people inhabiting the region of Dardania in the Balkan peninsula. After the Roman conquest, Dardania became part of the Roman province of Moesia Superior. The Dardanians were known for their fighting prowess and familiarity with the terrain, making them valuable assets to the Roman army.

Historical accounts mention the Dardanians' resistance against Roman rule before being fully integrated into the empire. Despite this, they were eventually incorporated into the Roman military, serving alongside other troops. The presence of Dardanian soldiers in the Roman army provides a plausible channel for linguistic exchange between Albanian and Old Scots.
This etymological connection has significant implications:
1. "Mickle" and "muckle" are not corruptions or variations of each other but rather distinct words with separate origins.
2. The Albanian language provides a key to understanding the meanings and roots of these words.
3. Linguistic exchange and borrowing between ancient languages, such as Albanian and Old Scots, have played a significant role in shaping the etymology of these words.
By exploring the Albanian language's influence on the etymology of "mickle" and "muckle", we gain a deeper understanding of the complex linguistic landscape of Europe and the ancient exchange of ideas and words that shaped our languages.
Copyright © 2024 Fatmir Iliazi

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