Author: Sa’dullayev, Shohjahon

Annotation: This study investigates the linguistic contact and etymological relationships between Ancient Indo-Aryan languages—Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Pāli—and Ancient Iranian languages, including Avestan, Bactrian, Sogdian, and Old Persian. The research aims to identify shared lexical and grammatical elements, reconstruct patterns of mutual influence, and clarify misconceptions arising from stereotypical assumptions and disinformation. The study employs comparative-linguistic and etymological methods, analyzing textual materials ranging from religious and epic sources to everyday documents. Special attention is given to phonological forms, semantic development, and historical context to distinguish between inherited cognates and genuine borrowings. Results indicate substantial grammatical and lexical parallels, supporting the hypothesis of a common Proto-Indo-Iranian heritage rather than unilateral borrowing. Grammatical features include three genders and three numbers in the nominal system, while the lexicon exhibits hundreds of cognate words with semantic broadening or narrowing over time. The research demonstrates that assumptions of direct borrowing from Sanskrit are often overstated, particularly when shared lexemes reflect the common ancestry of Indo-Aryan and Iranian speakers. Analysis of historical, cultural, and religious factors reveals that active linguistic contact intensified from the Hellenistic period and reached its peak during the spread of Buddhism in Central Asia. Lexical borrowing occurred across domains such as religion, administration, commerce, social terminology, and material culture. Middle Indo-Aryan languages influenced Eastern Iranian languages, while some Iranian terms entered Prakrit and Pāli. The study also highlights the methodological challenges of differentiating inherited cognates from borrowed terms and emphasizes the need for careful historical and etymological scrutiny. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of Indo-Aryan and Iranian linguistic interactions, demonstrating that shared features are rooted in historical connections, cultural exchange, and regional developments. The research provides a scientifically grounded reconstruction of Indo-Iranian lexical and grammatical correspondences and offers a critical correction of persistent stereotypes in the study of ancient languages.

Keywords: Indo-Aryan languages, Ancient Iranian languages, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pāli, Avestan, Bactrian, Sogdian, lexical borrowing, comparative linguistics.

Pages in journal: 569 - 581