Re: [tied] Re: gwen etymology

From: Piotr Gasiorowski
Message: 4941
Date: 2000-12-04

No chance. First, Skt. k can't derive from *gW (except when devoiced next to a voiceless segment). Second, the meaning "young unmarried girl, virgin, daughter, the constellation Virgo" contrasts with "woman, wife". I think kanya: (thus also in Avestan)/kana: derives from the adjective represented as Skt. kanya-, kaniSTha- 'smallest, youngest, minute'. In other words, "girl" = "the little one".
 
Piotr
 
----- Original Message -----
From: zya@...
To: cybalist@egroups.com
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2000 5:13 AM
Subject: [tied] Re: gwen etymology

> From: Eris  
> To: cybalist@egroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2000 8:05 PM
> Subject: [tied] gwen etymology

> Sanskrit  jani  wife
> Sanskrit  gana/gna  woman/goddess

There is also the very common Skr. 'kanya'/'kan' - girl.
This occurs in Avestan also. Could this be a cognate of gwen?
Regards,
Anirban