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The Negation of Fertility: Unpacking the Meaning of 'Ugar

The etymology of "ugar" has sparked a debate among linguists. Orel, Topalli, and Omari suggest it's borrowed from South Slavic languages, tracing it back to Proto-Slavic *ugorъ (fallow land). 

However, a closer examination reveals a more complex origin.

Breaking down "ugar" into "UG AR" or "UK AR" (K>G) reveals a negation of "arable land". The prefix "uk" means "not", while "ar(ë)" signifies "arable land". This etymological analysis suggests "ugar" means "not arable land" or "land that does not produce".

The Albanian language holds the key to understanding "ugar". The word "ukare" or "ugar" is the opposite of "arë" (arable land), where "uk" is the negative prefix. This linguistic connection implies that South Slavic languages borrowed "ugar" from Albanian.

Further evidence lies in the Serbian words for "arable land" (ораница) and "field" (поље) do not an etymological conection with "ugar". These words come from Albanian "a ban" (to make) and "pjell" (to give birth), respectively. 
Their roots are:
1) OPAN=
O BAN=B>P
BAN the Geg Albanian verb meaning "to make"
2) POLJE=
PJEL=
PJELL (give birth)
and "MBJELL" (to sow, plant)

The verb forms "bëj" (do, make) and "pjell" (give birth), "mbjell" of the Albanian are the roots of ораница and поље, demonstrating a clear linguistic connection.

The etymological relationships between Albanian, South Slavic, and Proto-Slavic languages are intricate. However, by examining the prefixes, roots, and verb forms, it becomes clear that "ugar" originates from the Albanian language, conveying the meaning of "not arable land".

References:

- Topalli, K. (2017) "ugar", in Etymological Dictionary of the Albanian Language, Durrës, Albania: Jozef, page 1523.
- Orel, Vladimir E. (1998) "ugar", in Albanian Etymological Dictionary, Leiden, Boston, Köln: Brill, →ISBN, page 483
- Omari, Anila (2012) "ugar", in Albanian-Serbian Linguistic Relations, Tirana, Albania: Krishtalina KH, page 299

Copyright © 2024 Fatmir Iliazi.

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