When Did 'Kim' and 'Kiy/Kee' Originate in Different Languages?
In this article, we explore the origins of the words 'Kim' and 'Kiy/Kee' in different languages, examining whether they are native or borrowed. We'll delve into historical contexts, linguistic evidence, and cultural influences to provide a comprehensive understanding of these words.
1. The Origin of 'Kim' in Turkic Languages
The term 'Kim' is a first-person pronoun used in various Turkic languages, such as Kipchak. Interestingly, this word is not believed to be borrowed from Persian, despite the existence of many Turkic loanwords in Persian. Let's explore the historical context:
Historical Context: There is a record in the Codex Cumanicus which uses 'Kim' as part of the opening line of a prayer: 'Atamis Kim koctsin.' This phrase translates to 'Our Father, who art in heaven.' The use of 'Kim' here, which means 'who' in Turkic languages, suggests that it has been used since ancient times, possibly even in Turkic languages, before being adopted by Persian. This makes it more logical to consider 'Kim' as a native Turkic word rather than a borrowed one.
2. 'Kiy/Kee' in Hebrew: A Native Term or Borrowed?
Another word in question is 'Kiy/Kee,' which is native to the Hebrew language and has not been borrowed from Turkish. However, there have been instances where the Hebrew language has been misinterpreted as Hindi in India and as Urdu in Pakistan, which needs to be addressed.
Linguistic Evidence: Hebrew has not been extensively influenced by Turkish, and the use of 'Kiy/Kee' in ancient texts provides strong evidence of its native origins. For instance, 'Kiy/Kee' is used in the first century book named 'Atabatu’l Hagayig' by Adib Ahmad. The specific sentence is 'Ol er keki ulusund men men dedi an ne xalayq sever ne xaliq.' This sentence can be translated as 'If a man becomes too arrogant and self-centered, he is not loved by people or the creator.' This usage of 'Kiy/Kee' in a clearly defined historical context further confirms its native status in Hebrew.
Historical Misinterpretations: Despite these uses, there have been instances where Hebrew has been misinterpreted. The term 'Hebrew' may have been misinterpreted in certain regions like India and Pakistan, leading to confusion about its cultural and linguistic origins.
3. The Adoption of Persian Culture and Poetry During the Seljuk Era
During the Seljuk era, Persian culture and poetry were significantly adopted into the local linguistic landscape. This period saw a profound shift in the region, as cultural influences from Persia began to permeate various aspects of life, including language and literature. The adoption of Persian elements could have led to the incorporation of Persian words into different languages, including Turkic and Hebrew.
Conclusion
While 'Kim' in Turkic languages and 'Kiy/Kee' in Hebrew have clear native origins, the historical context of language and culture adoption during the Seljuk era reveals the complexity of linguistic exchanges. Proper understanding requires examining both native and borrowed elements within these languages to provide a more comprehensive view of their origins and evolution.