WEST TOCHARIAN Meaning and
Definition
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West Tocharian is a linguistic term referring to one of the two main divisions of the Tocharian language, which is an extinct branch of the Indo-European language family. West Tocharian was spoken in parts of the Tarim Basin in present-day Xinjiang, China, during the 6th to 8th centuries CE. The term "West Tocharian" is used to distinguish this branch from East Tocharian, another division of the Tocharian language family.
West Tocharian is known primarily from manuscripts discovered in the early 20th century in sites such as Kizil and Dunhuang. These manuscripts, written in a script derived from the Brahmi alphabet, provide valuable evidence for the understanding and study of the language. The vocabulary and grammar of West Tocharian display marked similarities to other Indo-European languages, such as Latin and Sanskrit, suggesting a common ancestry and relationship.
The extinction of West Tocharian likely occurred due to a combination of factors, including political, cultural, and demographic changes in the region. As a result, West Tocharian became a lost language, preserved only through the surviving manuscripts and the efforts of linguists who have deciphered and studied them.
Today, West Tocharian is of significant interest to linguists, historians, and scholars studying the ancient Silk Road and the cultural interactions of Central Asia. It provides valuable insights into the linguistic and cultural diversity of the region and contributes to our understanding of the history and development of the Indo-European language family.
Common Misspellings for WEST TOCHARIAN
- qest tocharian
- sest tocharian
- 3est tocharian
- 2est tocharian
- wwst tocharian
- wsst tocharian
- wdst tocharian
- wrst tocharian
- w4st tocharian
- w3st tocharian
- weat tocharian
- wezt tocharian
- wext tocharian
- wedt tocharian
- weet tocharian
- wewt tocharian
- wesr tocharian
- wesf tocharian
- wesg tocharian
Etymology of WEST TOCHARIAN
The word "West Tocharian" derives from the combination of two distinct terms: "West" and "Tocharian".
1. West: The term "West" refers to the geographic point of reference, indicating the direction to the west of a particular location. In the context of "West Tocharian", it signifies the western part of the Tocharian-speaking region.
2. Tocharian: Tocharian is an extinct branch of the Indo-European language family. It was spoken by an ancient people known as the Tocharians, who inhabited the Tarim Basin in present-day Xinjiang, China, during the 1st millennium CE.
Therefore, "West Tocharian" refers to the western variety of the Tocharian language, spoken by the Tocharians in the western regions of their historical territory.
Similar spelling word for WEST TOCHARIAN
