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Debunking the ‘National’ Narrative: Diglossia, Arvanites, and Language Erasure in Southern Greece

 By Γεωργιος Ντουνης THE ‘NATIONAL’ NARRATIVE ON DIGLOSSIA among the Arvanite populations of Southern Greece… MYTHS, FABRICATIONS, and MYTH-MAKING CONSTRUCTIONS… WHO WROTE THE HISTORY OF THE ALBANIAN-SPEAKERS / ARVANITES of 1821… After the imaginary narratives: Arvanites as Greeks… Greeks as Arvanites… Arvanites as ancient Greeks… Arvanites as Romioi… in the 1980s the term “DIGLOSSIA” of the Arvanites was also added (sic). Indeed, diglossia was quite widespread, but after the establishment of Greek schools in the early 20th century, and already from the late 19th century in some urban areas, a systematic “eradication” of the Arvanitic language began (the “stick method” used to punish students who spoke Arvanitic was also well known, even into the 1960s). It should be noted that the words Arvanite / Albanian / Shqiptar / Romios / Greek do not exist in the Arvanitic of Southern Greece. The Arvanite is called Arbëror(e) / Arbëresh, and the language Arbërisht. The word “Greek” and “Gre...
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When Genius Laughs and Idiocy Rules

The genius remains a genius, the people speak, Petro Zheji up there keeps laughing… People argue, Petro Zheji speaks alone in this linguistic ignorance that has been injected into us for centuries. When linguistic idiocy becomes the norm among the people and among ‘linguists’ with degrees, the only thing left to do is laugh… and yes, many of them mistakenly start with the letter ‘A,’ adding to the froth of Zhejian laughter at today’s overly idiotized linguistics. Does Afërdita rise at dawn, or is it just the foam of the sea?

The Albanian and Greek Roots of the Latinized Word Caelum

Linguistic Theory of “Caelum”. Caelum: A Latinized Word Rooted in Ancient Albanian and Greek The word caelum (sometimes spelled coelum) is often assumed to be a classical Latin term meaning “sky” or “heaven.” However, a closer historical and linguistic analysis suggests a different origin: caelum appears to be a Latinized construction created by Catholic priests, based on much older Albanian roots. The word can be broken down into two elements: “ko” → from Albanian, meaning has (verb) “el / il” → from Albanian, meaning sun or star (noun) Thus, the compound ko + el → koel → caelum literally conveys “that which has the sun or stars”, which aligns perfectly with the concept of the sky or heavens. Interestingly, the second root, “el,” finds a parallel in Ancient Greek ἥλιος (hēlios), meaning sun (k>h keli-os= ke eli (ili, ylli= star,  where os is a suffix).  This cross-linguistic connection reinforces the symbolic and semantic choice of “el” as a root representing light in the ...

Zanorja Primordiale: A si Themeli i të Folurit Njerëzor

A-ja: Tingulli i Parë, Fryma e Fillimit. Në fillim ishte zëri. Jo fjala e shkruar, jo alfabeti, jo gramatika — por tingulli. Dhe ndër tingujt më të hershëm, më të natyrshëm dhe më universalë të qenies njerëzore është “A”-ja. Ajo nuk është thjesht një shkronjë; është nisje, është frymë, është ekzistencë. Tingulli përpara shkronjës Shumë përpara se njeriu të shpikte alfabetin — qoftë atë fenikas, grek apo latin — zëri “a” ishte tashmë pjesë e qenies së tij biologjike. Foshnja, sapo lind, nuk shqipton bashkëtingëllore të ndërlikuara. Ajo hap gojën dhe nxjerr një tingull të hapur: “aaa…”. Ky është refleksi më i natyrshëm i aparatit fonator njerëzor. Në fonetikë, “a” është një zanore e hapur qendrore ose e përparme, që prodhohet me gojën të hapur maksimalisht dhe me pengesë minimale në rrjedhën e ajrit. Pra, fiziologjikisht, është tingulli më pak i kushtëzuar — më i lirë. Dhe pikërisht për këtë arsye, ai mund të konsiderohet si fillimi i të folurit. Nga tingull në simbol Vetëm shumë më vonë...

Physical Action and Verbal Aggression: The Conceptual Continuity of ‘Killing’ and ‘Insult’ in Albanian and ancient Greek

The Albanian verbs vras and vrit , both meaning “ to kill ,” exemplify a notable phonetic and semantic pattern. The present tense form vras (“I kill”) alternates with vrit in the imperative and third-person forms, reflecting a regular phonetic alternation in certain Albanian verb stems, specifically the s → t shift. Semantically, this root captures a progression from a concrete physical action—“to strike”—to its more abstract consequence—“to kill.” This development illustrates how tangible motor actions provide the foundation for conceptualizing moral or social acts within the language. A comparable conceptual trajectory can be observed in ancient Greek. The notion of ὕβρις (hybris), traditionally understood as excessive pride or insolence, is likely reflected in later verbal forms such as βρίζω and βρισιές . The verb βρίζω denotes “to insult” or “to harm someone with words,” while βρισιές refers to verbal insults in the plural. Here, the metaphorical extension of physical action i...

From Existence to Impurity: A Two-Level Framework of Hygiene

H'Y'GIENE (Based on the linguistic theory of Petro Zheji) Hygiene Framework with Two Fundamental Levels Level 1: Original Existence (HI = I = 1, GIENE = Gjëndje₁ / condition) Level 1 represents the primordial or first state, where a being, object, or system exists in its pure, unaltered condition. At this stage, there is no impurity, no dirt, no contamination. It is the baseline of existence, the “natural” or intrinsic state of being. GIENE₁ symbolizes this original state, unmarked by external factors, a pure condition or Gjëndje₁. Level 2: Dirty, Ndyrë, Covered by Impurity (Y = 2, GIENE = Gjën(d)je / condition) Level 2 arises when the original state (Level 1) becomes covered by dirt, contamination, or impurity: Impurity now overlays the original state, creating a distinction between the pure underlying existence and the visible dirty state. GIENE₂ represents the system in its covered, impure condition, while the original existence beneath (Level 1) still persists. Dirt is seco...

The Hidden Architecture of Thought: Language as a Determinant of Freedom

Language and Freedom: The Hidden Architecture of Thought I. Introduction: Language as Ontology One of the most profound problems facing humanity is often invisible: the language people speak. Language is not merely a tool of communication; it is the architecture of thought itself. It defines not only what can be said, but what can even be imagined, the very contours of possibility within a society. Every law, every political system, every moral philosophy operates within the constraints set by language. To understand a people, one must understand the structures of their language. II. Ancient Languages and the Ethics of Freedom Very ancient languages arise from the soil of lived experience. They are shaped by direct confrontation with nature, social interdependence, and the existential realities of human life. In these languages, words for honor, courage, kinship, hospitality, and freedom are not abstract philosophical constructs—they are lived realities, encoded in vocabulary and synta...