Journal | Bhasha
Journal issue | 1 | 2 | 2022
Research Article | Synchronic Etymologising and Its Role in the Acquisition of Language
Synchronic Etymologising and Its Role in the Acquisition of Language
Abstract
This article first shows that synchronic etymologising – a phenomenon that finds expression in Yāska’s Nirukta and many other Indian texts – is in fact a universal phenomenon found in many (if not all) human cultures as well as in children. It then argues that the tendency to synchronic etymologising plays an essential role in the acquisition of language, a process we all went through in our childhood.
Submitted: Sept. 13, 2022 | Accepted: Sept. 13, 2022 | Published Oct. 28, 2022 | Language: en
Keywords Etymologizing • Cratylus • Meaning • Nirukta • Language acquisition
Copyright © 2022 Johannes Bronkhorst. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/bhasha/2785-5953/2022/01/001
