Indo-European etymology of Burushaski: -skir 'father-in-law,' -skus 'mother-in-law'
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: The Indo-European Etymology of Burushaski -·-skir ‘father-inlaw’ and -·-skus ‘mother-in-law’
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Ilija Čašule
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: The Indo-European Etymology of Burushaski -·-skir ‘father-inlaw’ and -·-skus ‘mother-in-law’
Year: 2011 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.4851
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
1) Introduction
The paper discusses the genetic affiliation of the Burushaski language with Indo-European languages. It proposes etymologies for two Burushaski kinship terms, namely -skir meaning "father-in-law" and -skus meaning "mother-in-law." The author, Ilija Čašule, utilizes existing linguistic evidence to strengthen the hypothesis that Burushaski derives from Indo-European roots. The analysis examines the phonological and grammatical correspondences that have emerged through a systematic study of over 550 etymologies, suggesting that Burushaski possesses characteristics indicative of an early relationship with Indo-European languages, especially those of the North-Western group.
2) Etymology of Kinship Terms
One of the central claims of the paper is the proposed Indo-European etymology for the kinship terms in Burushaski. The term -skir, "father-in-law," is traced back to su̯ ék̂ uros from Indo-European, while -skus, "mother-in-law," is linked to su̯ ek̂ rúhas. The etymological analysis not only showcases the phonological evolution of these terms but also underscores a connection with the semantic frameworks surrounding familial relations in Indo-European cultures. The author suggests that the forms have undergone systematic developments, reinforcing their Indo-European origins.
3) Historical Context and Linguistic Evidence
The paper provides a historical overview of the Burushaski language, including its status as an isolate spoken in the Karakoram area of North-West Pakistan. The author mentions previous scholarly work, emphasizing the difficulty of internal historical reconstruction due to a lack of older attestations and minimal dialectal differentiation. Despite these challenges, extensive studies conducted by researchers such as H. Berger have yielded substantial data regarding Burushaski, which the current paper builds upon. This historical context forms the foundation for the claims made regarding the genetic affiliations of Burushaski.
4) Phonological and Grammatical Correspondences
A significant portion of the paper is dedicated to the phonological and grammatical correspondences between Burushaski and Indo-European languages. Čašule identifies over 80 grammatical morphemes and numerous lexical similarities, suggesting a deep structural relationship between the languages. This comparison aids in establishing a framework for understanding how kinship terminology has evolved and retained its core meanings across various language families. The findings indicate that Burushaski may have been influenced by contact with Indo-European languages, contributing to its development.
5) Interpretation of Kinship Terminology
The author delves into the implications of the kinship terminology in Burushaski, positing that these terms reflect remnants of an asymmetric non-prescriptive kinship system typical of Indo-European languages. By offering a thorough etymological analysis of the terms -skir and -skus, Čašule argues that these terms are not merely loanwords or recent innovations but rather carry historical significance and continuity from Indo-European kinship structures. The analysis includes numerous comparative examples from other Indo-European languages, further substantiating this claim.
6) Conclusion
In conclusion, the study presents compelling evidence for the Indo-European origins of Burushaski kinship terms, particularly -skir and -skus. The author's etymological work, coupled with a review of historical context and grammatical correspondences, advances the notion of a genetic relationship between Burushaski and Indo-European languages. The findings contribute to the broader linguistic discourse on language contact and evolution, suggesting that Burushaski is a language with deep-seated Indo-European roots rather than a mere linguistic isolate.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main hypothesis about Burushaski's linguistic relationship?
The main hypothesis suggests that Burushaski, considered a language isolate, may have genetic ties to Indo-European languages, particularly beyond Indic and Iranian affiliations.
What kinship terms are analyzed in this study?
The study analyzes the Burushaski terms '-skir' meaning 'father-in-law' and '-skus' meaning 'mother-in-law', proposing their origins from Indo-European roots.
What are the Indo-European roots for 'father-in-law' and 'mother-in-law'?
Burushaski '-skir' is derived from Indo-European '*su̯é k̂uros', while '-skus' comes from '*su̯ek̂rúhas', both relating to family relationships.
What makes Burushaski's internal historical reconstruction challenging?
Limited dialectal differentiation and few older records make it difficult to reconstruct the historical development of Burushaski.
What are some recognized sources for studying Burushaski?
Key resources include Berger's three-volume work, Lorimer's studies, and Edel’man-Klimov's analysis, which provide substantial data on Burushaski's grammar and vocabulary.
How does Burushaski display connections to Indo-European languages?
Analysis reveals systematic lexical, phonological, and grammatical correspondences between Burushaski and Indo-European languages, suggesting potential historical connections.
What is the conclusion regarding the kinship terminology in Burushaski?
The study concludes that Burushaski kinship terms likely originated from Indo-European roots, supporting the theory of Burushaski's genetic relation to Indo-European.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Indo-European etymology of Burushaski: -skir 'father-in-law,' -skus 'mother-in-law'”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Language:
The text deals extensively with Burushaski, a still considered language isolate spoken in Pakistan's Karakoram area, highlighting its phonology, morphology, and potential genetic link to Indo-European.
2) Woman (Women):
Burushaski's fossilized terms like -skus for ‘mother-in-law’ underscore the role of women in family structures, with Indo-European linguistic ties.
3) Aryan:
The text relates Burushaski to Indo-European, which includes Indo-Aryan languages. It discusses potential loanwords and systematic correspondences at various levels.
4) Dialect:
Three dialects of Burushaski are mentioned – Hunza, Nager, and Yasin – highlighting the dialectal variations and their impact on linguistic studies.
5) Discussion:
The paper involves an in-depth discussion on the etymology of Burushaski kinship terms and their Indo-European connections, considering phonological and grammatical evidence.
6) Etymology:
The primary focus of the text is on the etymological analysis of Burushaski kinship terms like -skir 'father-in-law' and -skus 'mother-in-law' derived from Indo-European roots.
7) Queen:
The text mentions Burushaski ġéniṣ, meaning 'queen' and 'gold,' possibly related to Indo-European roots and reflecting the elevated status of women in historical contexts.
8) Child (Children):
The terms for kin like -sáġun 'nephew, niece, children of siblings' correlate with Indo-European roots, showing systematic retention in Burushaski.
9) Pakistan:
Burushaski is spoken by around 90,000 people in the Karakoram area in North-West Pakistan, emphasizing the geographical and cultural context of the language.
10) Grammar:
The paper references numerous works on Burushaski grammar, highlighting the systematic grammatical correspondences with Indo-European languages.
11) Branch (Branches):
It concludes Burushaski could have had early relationships or contact with the Southern (Aegean) branch of Indo-European, particularly the North-Western Indo-European group.
12) Family:
The text proposes that Burushaski kinship terms like -skir 'father-in-law' and their derivational patterns relate to Indo-European kinship terminologies, supporting a genetic affiliation.
13) Indian:
There are references to Indo-Aryan (including “Sanskritisms”) and Iranian origins in Burushaski vocabulary, emphasizing the linguistic cross-pollination in the region.
14) Joint:
The possible Indo-European root *su ̯ é- meaning ‘one’s own’ + *k ̂ uh1ros ‘powerful’ implies a sense of joint family systems and power structures in kinship terms.
15) Body part:
The Indo-European connections are also analyzed in Burushaski terms related to body parts and functions, reinforcing the linguistic link.
16) Substance:
Burushaski's phonological variations include terms related to amorphous substances, discussed in the context of both linguistic and cultural perspectives.
17) Ploughing:
Derivations of Burushaski terms such as hárki ‘ploughing’ reveal deep Indo-European roots, reflecting agricultural practices and vocabulary.
18) Calcutta:
Historical sources such as Biddulph's 1880/1986 work from Calcutta contain valuable early Burushaski material, aiding in linguistic reconstruction.
19) Marriage:
Burushaski kinship terms reflect familial and marital relations, aligning with Indo-European etymological structures and suggesting ancient social practices.
20) Power:
The Indo-European root *k̂uh1ros ‘powerful’ in the kinship terms of Burushaski highlights the sociopolitical structures embedded in language.
21) Light:
Burushaski terms like d-·-kukuri- 'light up' correlate etymologically with Indo-European roots, indicating semantic changes in linguistic development.
22) Semen:
The term ġunó ‘seed, sperm’ hints at shared Indo-European agricultural and reproductive vocabularies, illustrating deep linguistic roots.
23) Human:
The Burushaski -h-class includes 'human beings,' highlighting the distinction made in its noun classification system, with Indo-European comparisons.
24) Pari:
[see source text or glossary: Pari]
25) Horn:
Examples like Burushaski’s karéelo ‘ram’ derived from *k̂er- (horn) reveal Indo-European links in animal-related vocabulary.
26) Atam:
[see source text or glossary: Adam]
27) Abstract idea:
Burushaski classifies amorphous substances and abstract ideas in the y-class, showing a linguistic organization comparable to Indo-European structures.
28) Prostitute:
The shift of meanings in Burushaski terms like ġéniṣ ‘queen’ from *gwen- in Indo-European, illustrates social and linguistic transformations.
29) Retention:
The retention of Indo-European laryngeals in Burushaski supports historical phonological continuity and deep genetic affiliations.
30) Kashmiri (Kasmiri):
Interactions with Kashmiri and other Indo-Aryan languages are discussed, yet Burushaski’s core vocabulary remains distinct and systematically Indo-European.
31) Shoulder:
[see source text or glossary: Shoulder]
32) Sanskrit:
Sanskritisms in Burushaski are few, supporting the language's independent Indo-European evolution rather than direct borrowing from Sanskrit.
33) Bullock:
Burushaski terms such as haró ‘bullock’ derived from IE *k̂erus ‘horned’ indicate deep etymological roots, reflecting agricultural history.
34) Lexicon:
Burushaski's lexicon has systematic correspondences with Indo-European languages, strengthening the hypothesis of a genetic link.
35) Panjabi:
Cross-references to Panjābī, Sindhi, and other regional Indo-Aryan languages, while present, show Burushaski’s unique Indo-European affiliations.
36) Synonym:
Comparative linguistics in the paper includes synonym analysis to demonstrate closer ties between Burushaski and Indo-European roots.
37) Lahore:
The text mentions historical works on Burushaski, including Biddulph's 1880/1986 reprint from Lahore, vital for historical linguistics.
38) Flower:
[see source text or glossary: Flower]
39) Leaf (Leaves):
[see source text or glossary: Leaves]
40) Animal:
Animal-related terms in Burushaski, like kus ‘bitch’ and “kurpá 'elder', exhibit etymological links to Indo-European.
41) Winter:
Wodko et al. (2008) 's Nomina in Indogermanischen Lexikon, which is cited in the references, offers insight on Indo-European seasonal terms.
42) Sindhi (Sindh, Shindhi):
References to Sindhi language help contrast Burushaski's Indo-European roots, emphasizing its unique linguistic stance in the region.
43) Asura:
[see source text or glossary: Asura]
44) India:
North-West Pakistan, home to Burushaski speakers, was historically part of British India, influencing linguistic studies and classifications.
45) Nauka:
Edel’man and Klimov’s 1970 work 'Jazyk burušaski' was published by Nauka, an important source for Burushaski linguistic studies.
46) Horse:
Indo-European roots and vocabulary relating to horses show deep linguistic connections, reflected in Burushaski terms as analyzed in various works.
47) Hindi (Himdi):
[see source text or glossary: Hindi]
48) Black:
The suffix -um is found in Burushaski static participles like étum 'done', similar to its function in words like matúm 'black' illustrating development from Indo-European adjectival forms.
49) Depth:
[see source text or glossary: Depth]
50) Grass:
[see source text or glossary: Grass]
51) Widow:
Terms like géeskus 'widow' are analyzed for their Indo-European roots, contributing to the understanding of Burushaski kinship and gender terminologies.
52) Thief:
Burushaski verb ġee- 'to steal' and related terms are derived from Indo-European, showing the integration of verb morphology and semantics.
53) Blood:
In discussing kinship, the word sukúin 'kinsman' indicating blood-relation is linked to Indo-European roots, showing familial ties' linguistic evolution.
54) Sheep:
Burushaski words for animals like ṣã́ 'sheep' show systematic phonological and lexical correspondences to Indo-European terms.
55) Coral:
[see source text or glossary: Coral]
56) Hava:
[see source text or glossary: Hava]
57) Uras (Urash):
[see source text or glossary: Uras]
58) Inga:
[see source text or glossary: Inga]
59) Rani:
Burushaski term ġéniṣ 'queen, rani' reveals intricate etymological ties to Indo-European roots, illustrating historical and cultural elevations in terminology.
60) Mira (Mir):
[see source text or glossary: Mira]
61) Karin (Kari):
Cited work by Kari Liukkonen (1993) discusses Albanisch-baltisch-slavische relations, indirectly supporting the Indo-European links proposed for Burushaski.
62) Hour:
[see source text or glossary: Hour]
63) Book:
Various cited books, such as by Berger and Lorimer, provide foundational texts for studying Burushaski's Indo-European links.
64) Gold (Golden):
The Burushaski word ġéniṣ, meaning both ‘queen’ and ‘gold,’ showcases semantic development and potential Indo-European connections in material culture.