GOTHIC LANGUAGE Meaning and
Definition
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Gothic language refers to an extinct East Germanic language that was spoken by the ancient Germanic people known as the Goths. It was primarily spoken in the region comprising modern-day Ukraine, Slovakia, and Romania during the 4th to 6th centuries AD. The Gothic language is considered the earliest attested written Germanic language, and it is known from the fragments of the Bible translation made by the Gothic bishop Wulfila, also known as Ulfilas.
The Gothic language can be characterized by its unique linguistic features. It shares similarities with other Germanic languages but also possesses distinct phonological, morphological, and syntactic elements. For instance, it includes various consonant shifts compared to other Germanic languages, like the change of "p" to "f" and "kw" to "h." It showcases a relatively rich noun and adjective declension system, with different endings depending on gender, case, and number. Furthermore, the Gothic language exhibits a complex verbal system, distinguishing several tense forms and moods.
Despite its significance as a historical linguistic artifact, the Gothic language, unfortunately, became extinct by the 8th or 9th century. Modern linguists and individuals interested in the history and origins of the Germanic languages study these surviving fragments to gain insights into the development and evolution of the wider Germanic language family.
Etymology of GOTHIC LANGUAGE
The word "Gothic" is used to refer to the East Germanic language spoken by the Goths, an ancient Germanic tribe. The term "Gothic" itself can be traced back to the Greek word "gothos" (γότθος), which was borrowed from the Latin "Gothus" or "Gothi" to denote the Goths. The Goths were a prominent Germanic people who played a significant role in the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Over time, the language they spoke came to be known as the Gothic language, based on their tribal name.
