Linguistic glob

Abstract This article examines etymology not as a narrow linguistic procedure but as a philosophical and epistemological investigation into the origins of human language. It argues that etymological inquiry, when freed from prevailing contemporary ideological constraints, becomes a multidimensional method for uncovering the conceptual, symbolic, and physical structures embedded in words. Using Albanian as a primary case study, the article proposes that the Albanian language preserves conceptual and symbolic forms that challenge widely accepted Indo-European reconstructions. Through examples such as the semantic field of circle and the problematic etymology of Latin prātum , the paper highlights the need to reassess linguistic origins by reintroducing Albanian into comparative analysis. 1. Introduction Etymology has often been reduced to a technical exercise concerned with tracing phonological developments and reconstructing hypothetical roots. Such an approach, shaped by modern lingui...

Linguistic Glob is an academically oriented blog dedicated to the study of historical linguistics , etymology , and the origins of language . Its purpose is to encourage critical reflection and scholarly discussion on the development, structure, and symbolism of languages. The blog presents theories, interpretations, and alternative perspectives that challenge or expand established linguistic studies. Through detailed analyses, the posts explore how words and alphabetic symbols carry profound historical and cultural meanings, drawing on comparative methods and interdisciplinary research .

N is a symbol oof movement and stopping.It represents an impassable object in front of you, or the place where you must go and then stop — going no further. The left side of the letter N — the vertical line and the diagonal stroke that is not at a right angle — originally came from a serpentine line, symbolizing movement. The right side, the second vertical line, represents the obstacle or the end point of that movement. An illustration that helps explain the origin of the letter N can be found in the movement of walking feet, from which it descends, and in the double Z of the Illyrians. Since the dawn of spoken language, the image of a person walking or running — feet and hands in motion — has served as a chosen symbol of movement. Over time, Albanians and other European peoples lost the original meanings of many ancient symbols, yet the Albanian language preserved them within itself. The letters of the alphabet come from symbols that reflect objects, actions, and human experiences — ...

The history of the Albanians and their language stands defenseless against the ignorance of modern European historians and linguists who remain determined to uphold the great falsehood surrounding Albanian history and language. In reality, the Albanian language forms the foundation of both the Greek and Slavic alphabets. Its words serve as symbols that explain the meaning of each of their letters — from alpha from the Albanian language word "fjala" meaning “word,” to glagolitic, from the Albanian language word "gola" meaning “mouth.” A word is not merely a sound but the expression linked to an alphabetic symbol; the mouth, in turn, is the source of both the word and of speech itself. Yet, modern scholarship continues to promote certain misconceptions as established truths: “The Greek alphabet is derived from the Phoenician alphabet, and its letters have specific meanings and origins. The letter ‘alpha’ is believed to come from the Phoenician ‘aleph,’ representing th...

The D also carries the symbolism of division or half, being a semi-circular division that not only divides but also implies damage or incompleteness. This symbol has generated various words, some of which have evolved metaphorically in Albanian words like "gjysmak". Despite differing in form, these words originate from the same primordial symbol. Linguists think that the Albanian word "gjysmak" derives from the root word "gjysmë" ("half"), with the suffix "-ak". The etymology of "gjysmë" is complex, but it is believed to reflect a development from a Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root related to "half" or "part". This etymological approach is very limited, focusing on a single aspect of the word's development. The method of etymology oversimplify the complexities of word origins. The true origins of words can be multifaceted, influenced by various symbolic and metaphorization factors. It's possible that ...

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?

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...

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.

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...

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 ...

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...

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,...

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 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 "...

The Chinese character "双" (shuāng), meaning "double" or "pair," is the simplified form of the traditional character "雙" (shuāng), which depicts a pair of hands, a common early Chinese representation for duality or paired objects. Its exact historical etymology beyond this visual representation is uncertain. The Etymology is not a precise science. The origin of a word can be much more complicated than it appears. Let's start with the human body, one of the earliest and most accessible observations for humans. We have several pairs in our body: 1. Ears 2. Eyes, eyebros, eyelashes. 4. Two sides of the nose 3. Arms and hands, with each element of their anatomy 4. Legs 5. Breasts 6. Shoulders What are the meanings of their characteristics that humans symbolized and mirrored into language? Some possible interpretations include: - Similarity: identical as separate elements - Quantity: as two of identical ones, - Usage: a set of two things used tog...

Since I began analyzing the symbolism of very old and important words in every language about 30 years ago, I'd like to summarize one example.  The Latin word * phallus refers to a symbolic image or likeness of the male sexual organ, representing themes of fertility and creation. Although it's sometimes used to denote the male sexual organ itself, its primary significance lies in its symbolic function rather than its anatomical reality. However, the origin of this symbolic concept remains unclear. From which primordial language does it stem? What common symbolism exists between "baba" (father), creator, phallus, filius , seed, and God across Proto-Indo-European (PIE) languages ? Despite their differing forms and phonetic representations, these words share a semantic meaning related to creation and generation with an primordial root such as "bha" or "bhi". Their forms and phonetic representations are quite different from one another as words, whic...

The Albanian language , with its unique grammatical structures and idiomatic expressions , can indeed shape the way people think and perceive the world. This idea is often called the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis , which suggests that language influences thought and culture. In the case of Albanian, the language’s complex grammar and vocabulary may reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage and history. The way Albanians use language to convey meaning and context may also influence their cultural values ​​and traditions . Some possible ways in which the philosophy of the Albanian language may influence Albanian culture include: 1. Emphasis on context: Relying on language in context to convey meaning may encourage Albanians to consider the nuances of situations and relationships. 2. Respect for tradition: The historical roots and unique characteristics of the language may foster a sense of cultural pride and respect for tradition. 3. Hospitality and Community: Albanian language and cult...

Gjuha shqipe, me strukturat e saj unike gramatikore dhe shprehjet idiomatike, me të vërtetë mund të formësojë mënyrën se si njerëzit mendojnë dhe e perceptojnë botën. Kjo ide shpesh quhet hipoteza Sapir-Whorf, e cila sugjeron se gjuha ndikon në mendim dhe kulturë. Në rastin e shqipes, gramatika dhe fjalori kompleks i gjuhës mund të pasqyrojnë trashëgiminë dhe historinë e pasur kulturore të vendit. Mënyra se si shqiptarët përdorin gjuhën për të përcjellë kuptimin dhe kontekstin mund të ndikojë gjithashtu në vlerat dhe traditat e tyre kulturore. Disa mënyra të mundshme se si filozofia e gjuhës shqipe mund të ndikojë në kulturën shqiptare përfshijnë: 1. Theksi në kontekst: Mbështetja e gjuhës në kontekst për të përcjellë kuptimin mund t'i inkurajojë shqiptarët të marrin në konsideratë nuancat e situatave dhe marrëdhënieve. 2. Respekti për traditën: Rrënjët historike dhe karakteristikat unike të gjuhës mund të nxisin një ndjenjë krenarie kulturore dhe respekti për traditën. 3. Mikpritj...

The Albanian language, with its unique grammatical structures and idiomatic expressions, can indeed shape the way people think and perceive the world. This idea is often referred to as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, which suggests that language influences thought and culture. In the case of Albanian, the language's complex grammar and vocabulary may reflect the country's rich cultural heritage and history. The way Albanians use language to convey meaning and context may also influence their cultural values and traditions. Some possible ways the philosophy of the Albanian language may influence Albanian culture include: 1. Emphasis on context: Relying on language in context to convey meaning may encourage Albanians to consider the nuances of situations and relationships. 2. Respect for tradition: The historical roots and unique characteristics of the language may foster a sense of cultural pride and respect for tradition. 3. Hospitality and community: Albanian language and culture ...

Etimologjia zyrtare si zakonisht hedh peshk të qelbur në rrugën e origjinës se fjalës dhe për fat të keq heq simbolin dhe metaforizimin e tij ne krijimin e fjalëve. Gjuhëtarët n'vënd që te merren me "rrushin" si objekt fizik, të klasifikojnë gjithë emrat e objekteve fizike të rumbullakte që ekzistojnë në trupin tonë dhe ato të botës fizike jashtë nesh, si dhe të analizojë formën e tij per te gjet simbolin universal te krijimit te fjalës merret me zbërthime aspak thelbesore. Simboli "rro" me tingullin "ro" eshte simboli i rrumbullaksise se një objekti fizik i cili eshte krijuar si koncept gjuhësore shume kohe me pare krijimit te alfabeteve. Shumë vonë nē kohë tingulli simbolik u shkrua për herë të fundit nga shqipfolesit si "r(r)o" dhe u perfaqesua nga shkronja *Rho (Ρ, ρ), shkronja e 17-të e alfabetit të ashtuquajtur grek. "Rrushi" është krijuar si fjalë nga simboli i "rro'-se mijëra vjet më parë kur u prodhuar rushi i par...

The Etymology of the Italian Verb "Salvare" and its Latin Roots, as well as the Albanian Words "Shpëtoj" and "Pshtoj" The Italian verb "salvare" and its Latin roots, as well as the Albanian words "shpëtoj" and "pshtoj," both meaning "to save," have potential connections to their Proto-Indo-European roots. The Italian verb "salvare" and its Latin roots "salvāre" and "salvus" mean "to save," "to be safe," or "complete." The root comes from the Proto-Indo-European "*sol-," meaning "complete" or "well-kept." This Latin word is the source for the English word "save," as well as related words such as "savior," "salvation," and "salvage." Breakdown of the Etymology of the Word Salvare - Latin Root: The word "salvare" comes from the Latin "salvāre," meaning "to make safe...

Fragment of an apotropaic mosaic with a fish-shaped cock surrounded by two triangular female vulvas and the inscription O CHARI. From Hadrumetum, dated between the late 2nd and mid-3rd centuries AD. Archaeological Museum of Sousse, Tunisia. Vladimir Orel claims that the Albanian word *kar is borrowed from:   kar m ‘penis’. Borrowed from Gypsy kar id. (MEYER Wb. 176). 0 TREIMER MRIW | 366; TAGLIAVINI Dalmazia 141. However, the Romani language's history contradicts this: The first written evidence of Romani dates back to 1542 AD in Western Europe. Linguistic analysis suggests Romani originated from New Indo-Aryan languages, indicating migration from India around 1000 AD. Romani's grammatical evolution, such as losing the neuter gender, parallels other Indian languages. The language developed distinct features during migration, influenced by languages like Greek and Armenian. Given the timeline, Orel's claim seems unlikely. Possible explanations: 1. Albanian *kar might be an a...