-AGUA TOPONYMS IN AMERICA

The words Megagua, Mobalagua, Kommagua, Alachvagua, Balagua, Giladzagua, Ginodjalagua, Gagmaaragua, Gopardagua, Godzagua, Kamsharagua, Elachvagua, Eshadjalagua—all Megrelian masdars from Otari Kajaya’s dictionary—share a common ending: "-agua." This suffix resembles the Latin pseudo-"water" found in numerous South American toponyms, such as Nicaragua, Managua, Aconcagua, Jacarepaguá, Mahagua, Bakunayagua.

However, in reality, "-agua" is a combination of the demonstrative pronoun (article) "-ag" with the masdar ending "-ua."

The Megrelian word "amhanag"—meaning "friend"—illustrates the origin of various American place names ending in "-agua" (Nicaragua, Managua, Aconcagua, Jacarepaguá). If you form a masdar from "amhanag" (which is permissible for any noun), you get "amhanagua."

In "amhanag," the "-ag" functions as a demonstrative pronoun/definite article. Additionally, it is fascinating to note that the root "amhan(i)" translates to "of this time." In other words, a "friend" is "one who belongs to this time."



Post a Comment

0 Comments