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Showing posts from October, 2025

The Perils of Amateur Etymology

Amateur etymology at its finest!  Someone on Facebook came up with a novel etymology, claiming that 'rrush' (grape) of the Albanian language originates from 'ru shijen' (to hold the test).  This author also plays a lot of his etimologies with word rotations, like 'rrush' and 'shurr'.  But let's get real – while "rrush" (grapes) preserve the taste, does "shurrë " (urine) really do the same?  Who's been testing urine to make such etymological claims?  It's reminiscent of another gem from the beniamins of this author, where they claim the German 'UL+' comes from the Albanian 'LU' (to move).  By that logic, shouldn't 'shurrë' (urine) come from 'rrush' (grape) using the same amateur methodology?

From Hittites to Skanderbeg: The Story of the Double-Headed Eagle

The Double-Headed Eagle is an emblem that has captivated many, whether through its association with the Byzantines, the Roman Empire, or Skanderbeg's Albania (Arbërija). However, few people know that the origins of this symbol date back to the Hittites, who used it around 3300 years ago, as seen in the Hittite settlement of Alaca Hoyuk. In Albania, the Double-Headed Eagle has a rich history. It is featured on the country's flag and was also used by the Principality of Albania. The Kastriot family, a prominent Albanian noble family, adopted the Double-Headed Eagle as its emblem in the 14th and 15th centuries. Other notable families, such as the Dukagjin and Arianite families, also used the symbol, as did the League of Lezha, which employed the Kastriot flag. The Double-Headed Eagle's significance extends beyond Albania's borders. During Jan Hunyadi's campaign in Niš in 1443, Skanderbeg, along with several hundred Albanians, deserted the Turkish army, fighting under t...

Ngordh': A Word's Journey Through Language and Symbolism

The Albanian word ngordh is believed to come from the Proto-Albanian word *kār(i)da, which in turn derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *kēr dʰeh₁- ("to take root, to harden"). It originally had an n- as a prefix and meant "to die of hunger". Proto-Albanian: kār(i)da Proto-Indo-European: kēr dʰeh₁- ("to take root, to harden") Original meaning: "To die of hunger" Current usage: The word is now used specifically for animals that die. Symbolic etymology: Life is an O in R-rolling. Where ngordh goes to DHE, on the other hand. There are the words RRO and NDRRON related to this symbolism. NG is the symbol for its prohibition. This is confirmed by the other words NGEC and NUK (NG) as negating movement and expressions of negation of something. The anagram of NGORDH is DHROGN which includes the other two symbols in RRO and N'DRRON. In these symbols lies also the Latin MORIOR and the English DIE.

The Vinca Connection: Uncovering the Symbolic Roots of the Albanian Language

Free Operator -G(ë)- Symbol For the fifth time in the last 15 years, I'm revisiting the symbolism of "G" in the Albanian language. A remarkable example comes from the Vinca culture (5700-4500 BC), where a unique, handmade ceramic vessel with a vein was discovered in Central Europe. This ancient artifact holds significant importance in understanding the evolution of language and symbolism. Modern etymology often falls short in grasping the symbolic essence of word construction, relying on partial and truncated methods. The symbol "G" is a prime example. The word "vegë" illustrates this symbolism, yet official etymology deviates from its true essence, overlooking the time of creation, applied symbolism, and possible previous symbol-concepts. Let's examine two key points: 1. When was the word "vegë" created? Elementary logic suggests it was around 7000 years ago, in the Vinca culture, when the first clay vessel with a vein (called "poçe...

Lidhja e Vinçës: Zbulimi i rrënjëve simbolike të gjuhës shqipe

Operatori i lirë -G(ë)- Po i rikthehem përsëri, nuk i kam numëruar sa herë i kam bërë simbolikes se G-së së gjuhēs shqipe. Në Evropën Qendrore, Periudha Neolitike, kultura që quhet sot Vinca, rreth viteve 5700 deri në 4500 p.e.s. eshtë gjetur një enë qeramike e mrekullueshme e punuar me dorë me formë unike, që paraqet një këmbë në formë unaze, një trup në formë diamanti, një qafë tubulare dhe një buzë rrethore të hapur. Duke paraqitur një nuancë të pasur ngjyrë kafe të errët, ena e lashtë është e zbukuruar me vija të bukura të incizuara me bojë të bardhë që formojnë katër regjistra vijash vertikale, diagonale, me pika dhe të valëzuara. Dizajne të ngjashme me shënjestër paraqiten në secilin cep të trupit në formë diamanti. Një dorezë në formë shiriti shtrihet nga shpatulla në buzë me një formë dekorative në formë skedë që del në majë. Madhësia: 3.25" në diametër x 4.625" lartësi (8.3 cm x 11.7 cm) Kjo pjesë është testuar duke përdorur analizën termolumineshencë (TL) CIRAM dhe ...

Decoding Sviger and Verige A Cross Linguistic Analysis. Exploring Language Symbolism and Metaphor

The official etymology suggests that the Danish word "svigerfar" (father-in-law) is a compound of "sviger-" and "far," with "sviger-" being a calque of the German "schwieger-," derived from Proto-Germanic "swegrō" (meaning "mother-in-law") and ultimately tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root for "father-in-law." However, an alternative analysis breaks down the element "svigër" into components. The prefix "s-" might indicate negation, while "vi"  could relate to the Albanian concept of "to set or place." The suffix "-ër" might be a linguistic ending without semantic meaning. The symbolic core root "gë" could be linked to Albanian words conveying connection, such as "gojë" (mouth), "gjuhë" (tongue), "gurë" (stone), "gisht" (finger), and "gju" (knee). In this context, "svigër" might or...

The Dialects of Albanian: A Study of Variation and Heritage

Albanian is a unique branch within the Indo-European language family, with no direct sister languages. While it shares a distant common ancestor with other Indo-European languages, Albanian has retained many distinct linguistic features. Its ancient roots are believed to be linked to Paleo-Balkan languages, possibly Illyrian, Macedonian and Epiriote. The classification of Albanian as a single language or a family of dialects is a matter of discussion. Albanian encompasses various dialects, including Tosk, Gheg, Arvanitas (Greece), Arbëresh (Italy), Cham, and others. These dialects belong to the same language family and share a common ancestry, yet exhibit notable variations. The oldest form of the Albanian language remains a topic of debate. Dialectal variations provide valuable insights into the language's history. For instance, the phrase "it is done" has multiple forms across dialects: - "O bo" (done) in some Gheg dialects - "A ba" (done) in others,...

The Proto-Albanian Origins of Latin Caelum: A Linguistic Exploration

This is a translation of an article written in the Albanian language on November 22, 2022. The earth holds me up, just like a tree, mountains, hills, rivers, and animals – it supports them all. As we observe the world around us, we notice that these elements are not just a few isolated things; there are hundreds, a vast array of them. Everything exists on this earth, and our understanding of the world is shaped by the physical environment that surrounds us. The concept of "all" might seem quantitative to modern humans, with the infinite stars in the sky influencing the word for this concept. However, for primitive humans, "all" likely referred to a multitude of tangible objects that stood together, sharing a common connection. The early human brain was more attuned to concrete thought. The origin of the word "*qiell" (sky) in Albanian is a fascinating example. Its formation is related to the constituent elements within it, such as "yll" (star), ...

The Eye of Language: Albanian and Greek Parallels

The word "syret" (face) in Geg Albanian is said to come from Turkish, but its origin is actually the Albanian word "sy" (eye). This connection highlights the complex and rich linguistic history of Albanian, which has preserved many ancient features and roots. The ancient Greek words for "eye" are particularly interesting, and it's fascinating to see the connections with Albanian. The words ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós), ὤψ (ōps), and ὄμμα (omma) are all related to the eye or face, demonstrating a similar semantic extension. In Albanian, "sy" means "eye", and "syret" means "face". This semantic shift from "eye" to "face" is not unique and can be observed in other languages as well. "Syret" seems to be related to the verb "shikohet" or its forms, specifically as a noun form of "shikohet" (looked at). Meanwhile, "shikim" is a more direct noun form related to "...