The DNA of European Languages: Albanian Insights

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 the PIE root is just one piece of the puzzle, and other influences have shaped the word's meaning and evolution.

It is important of considering multiple perspectives and approaches when exploring the origin of words. By acknowledging the limitations of traditional etymology, we can gain a deeper understanding of language and its complexities.

Let's go deeper in the origin of the words:

The meaning of the Albanianword "gjysmak" is:
1. That is half-full or a large part is missing; that is half-finished; that does not completely solve something: half-finished work; half-finished measure (reform).
2. Also as a noun; that does not have a complete education; that does not fully master a skill, etc.: he remained half-hearted all his life.
3. Also as a noun; mentally defective.
In Albanian, "i dytë" indeed means "second", but it can also have a different connotation, implying someone who is not quite normal mentally, mentally defective.

Why do the symbols "gjysmak" and "i dytë" have the same meaning "mentally  defective" in Albanian?

Is "gjysma" (half) equal to the number "two" mathematically? 

No, it is not but symbolically they are equal because half comes from dividing the whole into two parts.

The symbols "gjysmak" and "i dytë" do share a common thread in their meanings, despite seeming disparate at first glance.

The key lies in the symbolic association of "half" and "two" with incompleteness or division. In many cultures, the number two implies duality, separation, or division, which can be linked to concepts like imperfection or abnormality.

In Albanian, "gjysmak" and "i dytë" might convey the idea of being "not whole" or "incomplete", whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. This symbolic equivalence highlights the complex interplay between language, culture, and cognition.

"Gjysma" (half) isn't mathematically equal to the number "two", but symbolically, they converge. The idea of dividing something into two parts creates a conceptual link between "half" and "two", illustrating how language and symbolism can blur mathematical distinctions.

This phenomenon is reminiscent of the way words and symbols can take on lives of their own, evolving meanings that transcend their original literal sense. 

Words affected by this symbolism are numerous, including "da" (separate, Albanian), dy (two) (Albanian), di (two, Chsm Albanian), due (Latin), δύο (dýo, Ancient Greek), Latin "damage", "dëm, dam" (Albanian), "defect" (Latin), "diameter" (Ancient Greek), "debil" (Latin), "idiot" (Ancient Greek), "dobët" (weak, Albanian).

Additionally, Latin words like "damnatio" (condemnation), "damno" (to condemn, damn), "de" (down from, from), "debeo" (to owe), "debilito" (to weaken), "defessus" (weary, tired), "defetiscor" (to grow tired), "deficio" (to fail, to weaken), "degenero" (to cause to degenerate), and "deleo" (to destroy, wipe out) demonstrate the far-reaching influence of this symbol.

German
aufteilen ( auf-deilen d>t) to divide
teilen (deilen d>t) to divide
unterteilen to divide
scheiden to divide
dividieren to divide
auseinanderdividieren to divide
Teilung {f} (deilung d>t) divide
Dutch
delen to divide
verdelen to divide
scheiden to divide
Swedish
att fördela to divide
att dividera to divide
att dela upp to divide
Danish
at adskille [danne en adskillelse imellem] to divide
Norwegian
å dividere to divide
å fordele to divide
å avdele to divide
Icelandic
að deila to divide [split]
að deila to divide.

The concept of sharing and division is indeed ancient and universal. The symbol of dividing something into two ore more parts and giving it to others.
The Albanian phrase "ndau buken e gojes me te tjeret" literally translates to "shared the bread of the mouth with others".
The Albanian language does not have a separate word for "share" like English has but uses the mediopassive form of the verb "ndaj" (divode) such as  "ndau" or "dau" (divided)
This is an idiomatic expression that means someone has shared their food, even if it was very little, with others, implying great generosity and selflessness, particularly during times of hardship or poverty. It highlights a strong sense of community and the willingness to help others even when one has very little for themselves.
This concept resonates with the Albanian tradition of hospitality and sharing, where food, shelter, and resources are often shared among family, friends, and even strangers.

Russian

де́лить (delit') - to divide, to share, to partition
разделя́ть (razdelyat') - to divide, to separate, to partition
расходи́ться во мне́ниях (rasxodit'sya vo mneniyax) - to disagree (literally "to go apart in opinions")

Slovak
podeliť - to divide
podeliť sa - to share (with the reflexive pronoun "sa")
Ukrainian
діли́тися (dilitysya) - to share or to divide
поділи́тися (podilitysya) - to share

Belarusian падзяліць [padzialić]

Bosnian podijeliti

Bulgarian разделям [razdelyam]

Croatian podijeliti

Czech         rozdělit

Serbian.        Дувиде (Duvide)

The Albanian поделити can be seen as the DNA of languages classified as Indo-European today.

Vinča symbol "D"