Thursday 22 October 2015

Etymology of Latin word 'pudenda'

       Wictionary provides the following etymology for the word ‘Pudenda’
“From Latin pudenda (“that where of one ought to feel shame”), substantive use of the neuter plural gerundive of pudet (“it shames”); in Latin the usage in the plural form (to mean external genitalia), was far more common than the singular form, as is also the case in English.”
The Tamil root ‘Pundai’
                 The Tamil ‘offensive’ word for female genitals is ‘Pundai ‘ and is used even now in villages during quarrels.This word breaks into ‘Punar+Udai’ which means ‘Tube/sheath for intercourse’ .This is the root of Latin word ‘Pudenda ‘
Strong ‘sound correspondence’
 One of the pointers to the veracity of the root word is the ‘sound correspondence’ observed between the words referred to. The Tamil word’Pundai’ and the Latin word ‘Pudenda’ has strong ‘sound correspondence’ which again strengthens the inference.
Usage Pattern
The Tamil word ‘Pundai’ is also used as an ‘offensive ‘ word as in English.
Conclusion

So it is clear that Tamil word ‘Pundai’ is the credible etymon of the Latin word ‘Pudenda’ .

Thursday 9 July 2015

Etymology of Greek word ' PALEO'

                                  We all think Greek is a Indo-European Language and Tamil is a Dravidian language and so they are not related at all !My 15 years of research into the possible genetic link between Greek and Tamil has proved it otherwise. I think language classifications are not as sacrosanct as we think and we can jump over walls to find truths .Here is my paper on the link between Greek word 'Paleo' and Tamil word 'Pazhaya' ,published in Linguist List in 2003 .

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 
ORIGINAL QUERY

Thursday 26 February 2015

Etymology of the English word 'Shanty town'

 According to Wikipedia' a 'shanty town'  is a settlement of plywood,corrugated material, sheets of plastic, and cardboard boxes'.Wikipedia adds that the root for this word is 'probably'from Canadian French chantier, a winter station established for the organization of lumberjacks.' 
                           Another accepted view on its root  is that it is from the Latin word’canther’meaning ‘frame work’ and Greek word ‘ kanthelios’ which means ‘ packass’
                 In essence ,a 'shanty town' is basically a temporary set-up,crudely built structure used occasionally .It is quite interesting to note that the word is available and used in every day usage in Tamil . ‘CHANTHAI’ means’market place’ in Tamil.In the southern parts of India it is customary for people of villages in an area to assemble at an appointed place to sell their vegetables,agricultural  produce and domestic animals. Normally this  ‘one day market’ is held on an appointed day of the week. Thus the market held on every Tuesday is called’ chevvai chanthai’(Tuesday market).Like wise ‘ puthan chanthai’( Wednesday market), ‘ velli chanthai’ ( Friday market) etc. are quite common in the State of  Tamil Nadu in India. These markets are conducted in make-shift huts and are generally located in a remote place but convenient to for the near by villagers to reach either by walk or bullock-carts. These places wear a deserted look on other days of the week. The British during their long rule in India picked up this word and called these places ‘ shanty towns’.Thus the word should have found its way into English.It may be observed that Old English and Middle English do not have this word ,thus supporting our contention.This is also confirmed by the absence of any related word in other languages ie.French or Latin.
                                 Moreover the Tamil origin of the word is clearly proved by the following root-pattern.
                                                ‘ Chanthi’ in Tamil  is a verb which means’ to meet’
                                                 ‘Chanthipu’ means meeting, junction.
                                                ‘ Chanthai’ means ‘where you meet ‘ie. place to meet
The foregoing observations suggest that the Tamil root appears more probable than the other roots.