Non-Indo-European Influences in European Indo-European Languages

When exploring the unique influences on European Indo-European (IE) languages, it becomes evident that a wide array of linguistic and cultural exchanges have contributed to shaping the current linguistic landscape. This article delves into the probable signs of non-Indo-European influence, particularly focusing on Sumerian, Tamil, and Eelam languages, as well as the significant impact of the Ottoman Empire on Balkan languages. Understanding these influences is crucial for linguists and scholars to uncover the diverse historical and cultural factors that have contributed to the richness of European languages.

Signs of Non-Indo-European Influence in European IE Languages

Several non-Indo-European languages, such as Sumerian, Eelam Tamil, and Assyrian, have shown their influence on European IE languages, particularly through loanwords. For instance, the name of Jesus and some Christian priests are aware of the presence of Tamil phrases in the Old Greek Bible, suggesting a deeper historical connection.

The British language, specifically English, is home to numerous loanwords from the Tamil language, with over a thousand words derived from it. These include common and obscure words, such as those related to greetings, food, and everyday life. Interestingly, the German language also absorbs 250-200 words from Sumerian and Eelam Tamil, indicating a broader linguistic exchange.

The Role of Loanwords in Language Evolution

Linguists often attribute words that cannot be traced back to Proto-Indo-European (PIE) as loans. This helps in understanding the cultural and historical exchanges between different language groups. For example, ancient Greek words containing the -nth- combination (such as mint, Corinth) are likely borrowings, as these sound changes in Greek might have eliminated such combinations.

Balkan Languages and Ottoman Influence

The lasting impact of the Ottoman Empire on the Balkan region is evident in the presence of numerous Turkisms in the languages of the region. The term Turkism refers to all words that have entered these languages as a result of the Ottoman influence. These words have often replaced older words, and many are used without awareness of their foreign origin.

For instance, in Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, and Montenegrin (referred to collectively as Serbo-Croatian), there are extensive Turkisms. The shtokavian dialect, predominantly spoken in areas under prolonged Ottoman occupation, carries more Turkisms compared to the chakavian and kajkavian dialects. Examples of Turkisms include:

Bakar (copper) from Ottoman Turkish bakr Arapa (sock) from Ottoman Turkish orap Boja (colour) from Ottoman Turkish boya Eer (sugar) from Ottoman Turkish eker Jastuk (pillow) from Ottoman Turkish yastk

Serbo-Croatian languages also incorporate Hungarian loanwords due to historical ties with Austria-Hungary. These Hungarianisms are often indistinguishable from native words, as they have been fully integrated into the language.

Bosnian, among these languages, has been the most significantly influenced by non-Indo-European languages, particularly Turkish. The language has absorbed many words related to Islam, reflecting the deep presence of the Muslim faith in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Islamic greetings and phrases like Maala (Masha Allah, blessing God) are widely used in Bosnian, while many others are more specific to the region.

Conclusion

The linguistic and cultural exchanges between non-Indo-European languages and European IE languages, particularly in regions influenced by the Ottoman Empire, have resulted in significant changes to the linguistic structure and vocabulary of these languages. Understanding these influences not only broadens our historical perspective but also enriches our appreciation of the diverse linguistic heritage of Europe.