The English flower: proposed etymology and Albanian perspective
Abstract
This study examines the etymology of the English word flower, combining traditional Indo-European derivations with a proposed semantic perspective based on Albanian. While conventional etymologies trace flower to Latin flōs, flōris and Proto-Indo-European *bhel- (“to thrive, bloom”), such accounts do not address the primordial semantic concepts embedded in human cognition, particularly those related to birth and life. This analysis proposes that a flower may be conceptualized as the “child” of a tree, a notion reflected in Albanian lexemes such as bilë (“daughter”), bir (“son”), lule (“flower”), and verbs associated with birth and movement (bë, lind, lëviz). This approach highlights the continuity between early symbolic meanings and the later lexical development of words designating natural phenomena.
1. Introduction
The English word flower is commonly derived from Latin flōs, flōris (“flower”), via Old French flor, ultimately tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *bhel- meaning “to thrive, to bloom.” This root is cognate with English words such as bloom and blossom, and with Latin flora (the Roman goddess of flowers). Individual flower names often have distinct etymologies: for instance, daisy derives from Old English dæges ēage (“day’s eye”), whereas chrysanthemum combines Greek roots ánthos (“flower”) and khrýsos (“gold”).
2. Conventional Etymology
Latin: flōs, flōris (accusative flōrem)
Old French: flor or flur (“flower,” “prime,” “innocence”)
Proto-Indo-European: *bhel- (“to thrive, to bloom”), related to Germanic forms such as blōstma (“blossom”) and bloom)
While these etymologies provide a historical framework, they do not account for the earliest semantic concepts associated with human cognition, particularly those surrounding birth, life, and reproduction. These primordial meanings are crucial for understanding the symbolic extension of the term flower to natural phenomena.
3. The Primordial Semantic Gap
The analogy between human birth and the emergence of a flower—which ensures the reproduction and continuity of a tree’s life—may represent a more immediate semantic root than later Indo-European derivations. Secondary or tertiary lexical developments appear to emerge from these initial symbolic concepts of life, birth, and movement. Recognizing this primordial semantic layer provides a more comprehensive understanding of the word’s development.
4. Proposed Albanian Perspective
FLO-WER
BLO-WER
In Albanian, the forms bilë (“daughter”) and bir (“son”) encode the concept of offspring. Phonetically, bir may derive from an earlier BL form, yielding the BR pattern.
A flower can thus be conceptualized as the “child” of a tree. Within this framework, the phonetic development bh(ë) > ph > f is noteworthy. This element is related to the Albanian verb bë (“to do, to make”), while the alternation l > r reflects movement or the dynamics of life.
The semantic field is further evidenced in Albanian words such as le (“to give birth”), lind (“to be born”), lule (“flower”), and lëviz (“to move”). Collectively, these forms suggest a coherent semantic network linking birth, growth, and movement.
5. Conclusion
Albanian preserves linguistic symbols in words that can be traced to the earliest stages of human language formation. Considering the English word flower through this perspective highlights the continuity between primordial semantic concepts—particularly birth and movement—and the later lexicalization of natural phenomena. This approach complements traditional etymological accounts and provides insight into the symbolic foundations of human language.
Comments
Post a Comment