ENGLISH ROOT WORDS FROM FASCINATING ORIGINS: A LINGUISTIC AND ETYMOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
Keywords:
etymology, root words, English linguistics, lexical borrowing, semantic change, historical linguisticsAbstract
The English language represents one of the most lexically diverse languages in the modern world. Its vocabulary has been shaped through centuries of historical contact, conquest, trade, migration, religion, literature, and scientific development. As a result, English root words originate from numerous linguistic sources including Latin, Greek, Old Norse, Arabic, Persian, French, Celtic, Sanskrit, and Germanic languages. This article explores the fascinating origins of selected English root words and examines the semantic evolution that transformed these roots into modern vocabulary items. The study employs a historical-linguistic and etymological approach to analyze lexical borrowing, semantic shifts, and phonological adaptation. Particular attention is given to roots whose origins reveal unexpected cultural and historical connections. The article demonstrates that etymology not only explains word formation but also reflects the intellectual and cultural history of humanity.
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