The Western Armenian Language Thread

[yerazhishda]

Re: The Western Armenian Language Thread

Does anyone know if the Hagop Andonian that wrote "Beginner's Armenian" is the same one as Hagop S. Andonian the poet/author/translator?

[Lucin]

Re: The Western Armenian Language Thread

Nice research Yerazhishda.

It's the first time I've encountered this though and I believe he is not correct in making that statement. The reason why I say this is because firstly, Mr. Andonian does not talk about the շեշտ in that extract about punctuation..

True. It's just weird how can anyone writing such a serious book, make such a stupid mistake?

The word "շեշտել" on the other hand means "to emphasize" which goes better with the idea of an exclamation mark.

շեշտ (՛) as well as «երկարացման նշան » ( ՜ ) have both the effect of an exclamation mark in English.

«եւ» vs. «ու»

When do we use each? For example:

Հող, հաւատք, ու Հայ լեզու vs. հող, հաւատք, եւ Հայ լեզու

Why is it correct to say the first example but not the second?

Good question. I may not be able to give you the exact answer but personally, I use more often ու in informal, spoken Armenian while եւ in written and more serious situations.

[ara87]

Re: The Western Armenian Language Thread

Ashkhar means world - usually used in context of things/people. For example, if I said "ampoghch ashkhar@" (entire world) it would be more in reference to the people/things than to the actual earth.

However, yergir has three meanings if I am not mistaken. It can mean actual 'dirt/earth'. It can mean 'Earth' and it can also mean 'country/nation'.

oh thanks.... As a name for a planet though, i think "ashkar" sounds cooler

[yerazhishda]

Re: The Western Armenian Language Thread

What's the correct name for "Earth" in Armenian? I've always used/said "ashkar" but i just read it was "Ergir/երկիր"

Ashkhar means world - usually used in context of things/people. For example, if I said "ampoghch ashkhar@" (entire world) it would be more in reference to the people/things than to the actual earth.

However, yergir has three meanings if I am not mistaken. It can mean actual 'dirt/earth'. It can mean 'Earth' and it can also mean 'country/nation'.

[ara87]

Re: The Western Armenian Language Thread

What's the correct name for "Earth" in Armenian? I've always used/said "ashkar" but i just read it was "Ergir/երկիր"

[Federate]

Re: The Western Armenian Language Thread

Federate,

Check out page 16 of Hagop Andonian's "Beginner's Armenian". He clearly says that «...» corresponds to the exclamation point. Here's the link: http://books.google.com/books?id=3Ls...onian#PPA16,M1

Nice research Yerazhishda.

It's the first time I've encountered this though and I believe he is not correct in making that statement. The reason why I say this is because firstly, Mr. Andonian does not talk about the շեշտ in that extract about punctuation. But more importantly, if you dissect the words "Կախման կէտ" itself, կախման means "of hanging" or in this context "omission" and կէտ is "point/mark". So basically, it implies that it's used when you are left hanging or if there is an omission. This is in line to the way the "..." is employed in English and many other languages.

The word "շեշտել" on the other hand means "to emphasize" which goes better with the idea of an exclamation mark.

[yerazhishda]

Re: The Western Armenian Language Thread

I was wondering, does Armenian orthography have its own exclamation mark? As far as I know, I have used this ---> ՜ but I always have the feeling that it's not right.

Federate,

Check out page 16 of Hagop Andonian's "Beginner's Armenian". He clearly says that «...» corresponds to the exclamation point. Here's the link: http://books.google.com/books?id=3Ls...onian#PPA16,M1

[yerazhishda]

Re: The Western Armenian Language Thread

«եւ» vs. «ու»

When do we use each? For example:

Հող, հաւատք, ու Հայ լեզու vs. հող, հաւատք, եւ Հայ լեզու

Why is it correct to say the first example but not the second?

[Federate]

Re: The Western Armenian Language Thread

Here's an interesting article on how the best aspects of both main Armenian dialects might be brought together to create a unified Armenian language (I doubt it will ever happen though):

http://www.jgm75.com/Language.htm

P.S. - It also happens to be the article that Argentina cut and pasted from a few posts back.

Thanks for the link, it's a good summary of some of the things me, Lucin and Yerazhishda have been discussing. He mentions the loss of "իւ", the "եան"/"յան" issue, Iranian-Armenian escaping the Soviet reforms etc. Take a look folks.

[womble]

Re: The Western Armenian Language Thread

Here's an interesting article on how the best aspects of both main Armenian dialects might be brought together to create a unified Armenian language (I doubt it will ever happen though):

http://www.jgm75.com/Language.htm

P.S. - It also happens to be the article that Argentina cut and pasted from a few posts back.