Ancient Balkan Languages - Proto Slavic Words

[Pelister]

I think I found an origin for the word "Shiptar".

I read that in the near Eastern languages of the ancient world the term "Sippar" meant 'bird'.

The term and its meaning has Eastern origins. I don't believe its a balkan word so its a bit off the topic.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Originally Posted by Pelister

I think I found an origin for the word "Shiptar".

I read that in the near Eastern languages of the ancient world the term "Sippar" meant 'bird'.

The term and its meaning has Eastern origins. I don't believe its a balkan word so its a bit off the topic.

A little .....but indirectly related nevetheless, as it retorts against an (more than likely) inaccurate assumption about many of the words in the modern Albanian language. So let's discuss...

Interesting post Pelister, after reading it, I did a little search. Check the below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sippar

Sippar (Sumerian Zimbir "bird city", modern Tell Abu Habbah, Iraq), was an ancient Sumerian and later Babylonian city on the east bank of the Euphrates, some 60 km north of Babylon.

Shqipe (Eagle - in Albanian)
Shqiptar (People of the Eagle - in Albanian)
Sippar (Bird City - in Sumerian/Modern Iraq Location)

Needless to say, an eagle is a type of bird, hence there are some immediate links that can be established. I have often highlighted the similarity between some important Albanian words and how they correspond with Iranian words, the Sumerian language was arguably an Indo-European tongue and its closest relative is more than likely Iranian.

[Pelister]

Originally Posted by Soldier of Macedon

A little .....but indirectly related nevetheless, as it retorts against an (more than likely) inaccurate assumption about many of the words in the modern Albanian language. So let's discuss...

Interesting post Pelister, after reading it, I did a little search. Check the below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sippar


Shqipe (Eagle - in Albanian)
Shqiptar (People of the Eagle - in Albanian)
Sippar (Bird City - in Sumerian/Modern Iraq Location)

Needless to say, an eagle is a type of bird, hence there are some immediate links that can be established. I have often highlighted the similarity between some important Albanian words and how they correspond with Iranian words, the Sumerian language was arguably an Indo-European tongue and its closest relative is more than likely Iranian.

Thanks SoM. I was thinking along the same lines too. I think its a pretty close connection. I suppose now we can get back to the thread.

This smilie of Osama rocks.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Originally Posted by Pelister

Thanks SoM. I was thinking along the same lines too. I think its a pretty close connection. I suppose now we can get back to the thread.

This smilie of Osama rocks.

No problem, I have quite a bit of information on the modern Albanians and their origins, a new thread is calling

[Soldier of Macedon]

The word Karpa (meaning rock in Macedonian) is interesting. The Albanians are the only others that apparently use the word, although it doesn't appear on googletranslate at all, instead there is 'Gur' (meaning stone in Albanian). I will have to check the dictionaries and see if it is present.

The name of the Macedonian fighter from the 17th century, Karposh, comes from this word. Interesting to note also is the name of the Carpathian mountains, which apparently means the same thing. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpathian_Mountains

The name 'Karpetes' may ultimately be from the Proto Indo-European root *sker-/*ker-, from which comes the Albanian word karpë (rock), and Czech word skála (rock, cliff). perhaps by Dacian cognate which meant 'mountain,' rock, or rugged (cf. Old Norse harfr "harrow", Middle Low German shcarf "potsherd", Lithuanian kar~pas "cut, hack, notch", Latvian cìrpt "to shear, clip"). Archaic Polish word karpa meant "rugged irregularities, underwater obstacles/rocks, rugged roots or trunks". The more common word skarpa is sharp cliff or other vertical terrain. Otherwise, the name may instead come from IE *kwerp "to turn", akin to Old English hweorfan "to turn, change" and Greek karpós "wrist", perhaps referring to the way the mountain range bends or veers in an L-shape.

Any thoughts?

[Risto the Great]

I have no idea, but I think I know where my Scarpa hiking boots come from now though.

[Soldier of Macedon]

Are you aware of the word?

[Risto the Great]

Originally Posted by Soldier of Macedon

Are you aware of the word?

Sorry mate ... just "kamen" for me ... but I am peasant stock.

[Soldier of Macedon]

'Kamen' is definetly more common, I think the northern and north-east dialects use 'Karpa' more often.

[Pelister]

Originally Posted by Soldier of Macedon

Are you aware of the word?

I am aware of it. According to Stoyan Privichevich, the word derives from Greek - meaning 'strong' or something like that. I don't have the reference with me right now.

It seems that it is used in other Slavic languages.

Look at these possible cognates

Skala (ladder, steep cliff, climb)
Korab (bare rocky mountain)