An Examination of Two Proverbs in Khotanese and Their Equivalents in Certain New Western Iranian Languages
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46991/jil/2025.02.05Բանալի բառեր:
Khotanese, Zambasta, proverb, Iranian languagesԱմփոփում
Khotanese is a Middle Eastern Iranian language that was spoken in Khotan, located in the Xinjiang area of Turkestan, China, until the late 10th and early 11th centuries AD. The remaining Khotanese documents primarily consist of translations of Buddhist Sanskrit literature. One of the most significant poetic compositions in the Khotanese language is known as the Book of Zambasta. Unlike numerous other Khotanese texts that serve as translations of Buddhist literature, this particular work stands alone as an independent composition, although it is inspired by Buddhist texts. In this book, while explaining and interpreting religious teachings, references to stories and proverbs are occasionally made, the equivalents of which can be found in other languages, including Indian and Iranian languages. In the second chapter of the Book of Zambasta, two sentences address the themes of futile effort and exertion, which should be considered a type of proverb or maxim. In certain New Western Iranian languages, two proverbs akin to these Khotanese expressions remain prevalent, albeit with variations in vocabulary or usage. In this concise article, I will refer to these two proverbs in Khotanese along with their equivalents in certain New Western Iranian languages.
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