Where do these words come from? | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Explore the origins of words, tracing back to Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European languages, and delve into the interesting etymologies behind various English words.

Key Insights

• 🥹 Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European languages hold the origins of many English words, indicating the common link between various language families.
• 🥼 The English language comprises diverse linguistic influences, resulting in it being likened to eight languages in a trench coat.
• ❤️‍🩹 Place names often carry etymological significance, reflecting connections between language and philosophy, such as Finistere in Spain symbolizing the end of the world and salvation.
• 🥶 Mathematical notation, like the integration sign, has historical origins, with the symbol being derived from the long S, used in inscriptions and old documents.

Transcript

this video is sponsored by brilliant etymology coming from etimon meaning the sense of truth and logia meaning study is the study of what words really mean or rather where words come from anyone who has read my book firmament will tell you that i find this subject fascinating so in this quick video i just want to talk about the interesting origins ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the oldest word in the English language?

The word "water" remains unchanged for approximately 6,000 years, making it one of the oldest words in English, with its roots in Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European languages.

Q: What is the core meaning of the word "star"?

The word "star" originates from Proto-Indo-European and, in its original form, meant a "burning or shining thing," representing early understanding despite our ancestors' lack of knowledge about celestial bodies.

Q: How did the Vikings influence the English language?

The Vikings introduced various words into English, such as "skull," which replaced earlier Anglo-Saxon terms like "hide" and "craft." The presence of a hard k sound in words like "skull" is often indicative of Old Norse origins.

Q: What are loanwords and calques in the English language?

Loanwords are words directly borrowed from other languages into English, while calques are phrases that are translated word for word. For instance, "sudoku" is a loanword, while "ball lightning" is a calque from German.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Language tracing back to Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European reveals the unchanging word "water" for about 6,000 years, making it one of the oldest in the English language.

• The word "star" has its origins in Proto-Indo-European, where it originally meant a "burning or shining thing," reflecting the core meaning of the word.

• The English language is a composite of various languages, evidenced by the introduction of words like "skull" by the Vikings, replacing previous Anglo-Saxon terms such as "hide" and "craft."

• Loanwords, calques, and double loanwords demonstrate the influence of other languages on English, with examples such as "anime" originating from a double loanword process.