Bulgarian-Pashto Cognates. Analysis of Their Meaning and Origin

Authors:

Pages: 397-413
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/MFVH6970

Abstract:

The article presents eight words from Pashto language, considered as cognates to words left by Proto-Bulgarians. This conclusion is supported by the fact that Proto-Bulgarians generally have East-Iranian origin, as do the Ephthalites, the ancestors of modern Pashtuns. Six modern Bulgarian words and eleven Old Bulgarian words and semantic roots of unspecified origin are shown as cognate to Pashto words, hence their proto-Bulgarian origin is suggested. The ancient hydronym Gerdab “iron gate“ for a gorge on Danube river is shown to correspond to the Pashto phrase gird вb “stirred water“ and hence, it could also have Eastern origin. In conclusion, a significant number of examples are adduced evidencing for Eastern heritage in the languages of ancient and modern Bulgarians.

Keywords:

Cognate words, Old Bulgarian, Pashto, Proto- Bulgarians, Ephthalites.

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