This has reference to your article on Sahara desert in your recent National Geography Magazine.
I wish to bring some points on how the word "Sahara" derived from
Sanskrit language which is the mother of all languages and it is very
ancient and belongs to vedic period. We, Indians feel Sahara was derived
from Sanskrit word "Sagara" (means Ocean) instead of Arabic word "Sahra".
Ocean might have receded or dried out in that area a very long back. We
feel Sanskrit is a powerful language with good grammer and consists of 50
letters. We also strongly feel that sound of word was more important than
its meaning. There are words, the very sound of which denotes their
meaning. Take the word "danta" of Sanskrit. It means a tooth. We have to
use our teeth produce the sound of the word "danta". The tongue has to
make an impact on the teeth. Toothless person may not vocalise the word
"danta" clearly. Consider the English word "dental". There is so much
similarity between "dant" and "dent". In languages like French and Latin
also the word for tooth is akin to "dent". You may ask question "why
shouldn't you derive the Sanskrit word "danta" from "dental"? But you must
consider the fact that to say "danta" you have to use your teeth. No so to
"dental". You get the sound "dental" as a result of of the tip of your
tongue touching your upper palate. It is only in Sanskrit that the word
itself signify its meaning. So, that must be the root form of the word.
Hence languages like English, French, Latin, etc. must have been derived
from Sanskrit. So Sahara from Sanskrit "Sagara". Some other words which
are similar to Sanskrit are Man (means thinking in Sanskrit) is similar to
Man in English. Infact man is considered a thinking animal.
Depending on the location some letters have got changed in words.
For example, some words are common to Christians and Islam, but in Arabic
there are pronounced differently. For example,
Joseph became Yusuf.
Jehovah became Yehovah
There are differences among Christian nations too.
In some languages, you see "ja" is prominent.
Jesu and Yesu (The name of the very founder of Christianity)
Similarly "Dyan-Pitar" becomes "Yau-Pital" and then Jupiter.
Sanskrit words lose their initial letter when borrowed by other languages.
This is just to present our Indian views and I hope you appreciate it.
thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
y.s.rao
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Dr. Y.S. Rao
Research Scientist Ph. : +91-22-5767683, 5785947
Centre of Studies in Resources Engg. Fax : +91-22-5783190, 5783480
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay Email: ysrao@csre.iitb.ac.in
Powai, Mumbai-400 076, India http://www.iitb.ac.in/~csre/ysrao
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