1

Galina Shuke

Latvians, Were They Turks? (The Phenomenon of the Turkic Language
Substratum in the Baltics)

Contents

Introduction
1. The Hypothesis of the Origin of East European Substratum
1.1. The Role of Asia in the History of Europe
1.2. Who Were Ancient Inhabitants of Asia Minor?
1.3. Ancient Inhabitants of the Territory of Modern Latvia
1.3.1. Folklore Symbols Testify
1.3.2. Language of Ancient People on the Territory of Modern Latvia
2. Geographical Names of Turkic Etymology
2.1. Turkic Toponyms and Hydronyms on the World Map
2.2. Turkic Toponyms and Hydronyms of Latvia
2.3. Baltic Hydronyms on the Map of Europe, or the Problem of Pan-Baltic
3. The Discovery of Turkic Substratum in the Latvian Language
3.1. Ancestors, Gods, Names of People, Symbols
3.2. Man, Earth, Water
3.3. Home, Parents, Holidays
3.4. Parts of Humans Body, Things, Actions
3.5. Animals, Plants, Nature
3.6. Abstract Things
4. Turkic Grammatical Rudiment in the Latvian language
4.1. Phonetics
4.1.1 Changes in the System of Vowels
4.1.2. Changes in the System of Consonants
4.2. Word Formation
4.3. Morphology
4.4. Syntax
5. Turkic roots of the Russian language
5.1. Turkic Word-Forming Models in the Russian language
5.2. Turkic Origin of Russian Suffixes
5.3. Phonetic Correspondences
6. Comparison of Substratum Lexis of the Latvian and Russian Languages
6.1. Early Substratum Lexis of the Latvian language
6.2. Early Substratum Lexis of the Russian language
6.3. Similar Substratum Lexis of the Latvian and Russian Languages
6.4. Parallel Development of the Latvian and the Russian Languages on the Turkic Basis
6.5. Substratum Lexis of the Latvian Language of the Period of Demarcation
6.6. Substratum Lexis of the Russian Language of the Later Period
6.7. The Conclusions Based on the Comparative Analysis
7. Polyethnonyms Aesty, Slavy, Rusy and Other Ethnonyms
Conclusion

Introduction

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The worlds languages, are they related and how? Scientists divide them into families and
groups, but havent found the common denominator yet.
What was the first language of humanity, that basic mother tongue? The answer to this question
seems to be the most important for solving the great number of linguistic mysteries.
Progressive scientists of the world develop the theory of monogenesis. According to this the
humanity is one and the same species, but human races are subunits within the species
subdivision that sprang as the result of humans settling in different geographical zones of the
world. The theory of monogenesis proves that peoples rise from a common parental source and
their languages rise from the only ancestral language.
The Finnish linguist and ethnographer of the XIX century Mathias Alexander Castren has
explored languages and ethnography of Finno-Ugric, Tunguso-Manjurian and Paleo-Asiatic
peoples and has composed grammars and dictionaries for twenty languages. He suggested the
theory of relationship of Finno-Ugric, Samodian, Turkic, Mongolian and Tunguso-Manjurian
languages. In the 1960-ties the Russian scientist V. M. Illich-Svitich analized similarities of
Altaic, Dravidic, Indoeuropean, Cartvel, Semitohamitic and Uralic language families. He
confirmed the scientific basis of the Nostratic theory that was proposed by the Dutch scientist
H.Pedersen, who wrote: The boundaries for the Nostratian world of languages cannot yet be
determined, but the area is enormous, and includes such widely divergent races that one becomes
almost dizzy at the thought. (...) The question remains simply whether sufficient material can be
collected to give this inclusion flesh and blood and a good clear outline.
1

The data given in V.M.Illich-Svitichs works show that in each language family there are
dozens of elements that coinside with corresponding elements of other language families that
have been compared. Moreover, regardless of their distant relationship, most of the languages
preserve some of the most stable systems of morphemes of identical origin. (-,
1964, 5)
If we study the map of the world we can be surprised at the great number of geographical
names that sound and look alike. For example, in Russia there is a city in the region of a chain of
mills called Kemerovo. In Latvia we find a chain of health resorts on the coast of the Baltic Sea
one of them bearing the name Kemeri. On the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Turkey there is
a resort town with the name Kemer.
The name of a tributary of the Dnieper is Tsna, the same name has the river of the Oka basin
Tsna.
The name of a town in the Perm region (Russia) is Usolye, we find the same name for a town
in the Irkutsk region in Siberia.
Everybody knows the river Visla in Poland, but we find a river with the similar name Vizla
in Latvia.
Crimea is the name of the peninsula in the Black Sea. In Latvia there is a town with the
name Krimulda.
Being aware of language relationship we can try to look at the geographical names from a new
angle and try to decipher them with the help of the Turkish language.
In Turkish the word kemer means a belt, the word ts - hissing, usul - roots, ancestors,
forfathers, Turkish vz means buz, hum, krm slaughter, carnage, cutting (of a forest).
Why do we turn exactly to the Turkish language? What distinguishes it from other
languages? What is unusual about it?
The Turkish language is one of the Turkic languages, the group that comprises more than 50
living languages.
Turcologists mark the old age of the Oghuz Turkic languages in particular. The name Oghuz
appearantly is made up of the words ak white, grey and uz, the most ancient ethnonim of

1
Holger Pedersen (linguist) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki (2010.22.03)


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Turkic tribes, and means old and respectable Turks. Compare it with the Turkic word aksakal
formed of the words ak white, grey, sakal beard calling old men and bearing a sense of
politeness and respect. One of the most ancient Oghuz Turkic languages is Turkish.
In the Turkish language there is one and the same wordTrk for both the terms Turkish
and Turkic that testifies to close relationship of the words.
The area of Turkic languages is extremely vast in its size and geography. Even nowadays we
find a people of East Europe that speak the Oghuz Turkic language and live alongside Slavic
peoples. They are Gk Turks, the Gagauz people. The languages of the peoples of Turkmen and
Turkey are also Oghuz Turkic. It means that these peoples of Europe, Asia Minor and Central
Asia speak in closely related languages.
One cannot help being surprised at the ancientness of the Turk runic writing and the area of
its occurence. The Latvian geographer and journalist Juris Paiders writes that Turkic runes are
found all over East Europe and Central Asia. Scientists affirm that the resemblance between
Germanic runes (that gave birth to Scandinavian runic writing) and Turkic runes is striking
(Paiders, 2003, 54 55).
Linguists prove the presence of Turkic stem morphemes and word-forming affixes in the
languages of the Baskques and American Indians, the languages of the Sumerians and Etruscans,
the ancient peoples whose contribution to the world culture is well known.
With the help of Turkic languages specialists managed to read the Glozel writing found in
France.
It is surprising that we can find Turkic root morphemes in the names of many peoples and
countries of the world. Compare the Turkish word eski ancient and the ethnonym of the ancient
people of the world Eskimo, the word rak far, distant, remote and the name of the country
Iraq, the word uramak to call (at a place) and the name of the Ugric people, the verb
brmek/brt to clothe/clothed, to wrap/wrapped and the name of the Buryat people that
live in Russia and in N. Mongolia as well, the word acar energetic, fearless and the name of
the Ajar people of Georgia.
Impressive is the number and geography of mountain ranges of the world containing Turkic
stems: the Ands, the Alps, the Carpat, the Crimea, the Balkans, etc.
All the mentioned facts make us pay especially close attention to the Turkic languages in an
attempt to discover the first language of the humanity, its mother tongue.
Having started studying the Turkish language, the author of the research came across an
astonishing phenomenon: many words of her native Russian language appeared to be originated
of Turkic stem morphemes. Studying the Turkish grammar gave awareness of Turkish word -
forming affixes and word-forming models that helped to understand the models used in word
formation of the Russian language. The knowledge of the Turkish affixes impelled the author to
pay attention to the meaning of numerous Latvian geographical names that cannot be explained
with the help of the Latvian language, though they can be easily deciphered by means of the
Turkish language.
The Latvian language is not the authors mother tongue, nevertheless she has been teaching
it for many years. The look at the Latvian language through the prism of the Turkish language
revealed deep links of the Latvian language with Turkish. The relationship of these languages
rises to those remoted times when the territory of modern Latvia released from ice and started to
get settled by humans. The discovery of Turkic roots of the Latvian language motivated the
author to conduct this research: to analyse the stages of the mankinds development, to examine
the place of the origin of the human culture, to look at the time of peoples arrival on the eastern
coast of the Baltic Sea, to study the development of the mens language and the connection of
that language with the environment.
The discovery of the toponymes of Turkic origin on the territory of modern Latvia, the
elements of Turkic substratum lexis and common symbols of the Latvian and Turkic folklore
gave rise to the hypothesis of the birth of the Latvian language on the basis of Turkic on the
territory of modern Latvia in the period of Mesolithic. The Russian language that also has Turkic
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basis started its development on the nearby territory around the same time. It took a lot of lexis
of the developing Latvian language, for a certain period was evolving beside it in a parallel way
and then followed its own way not losing its links with the Turkic language, when the Latvian
language lost its connection with Turkic, at a certain time, retaining just possibility to borrow
Turkic words from the Russian language.
The goal of the work is to show the Turkic roots of both the Latvian and Russian languages
and discover the stages of their development on the Turkic basis.
First of all we shall turn to the world history to trace the roots of the Turkic language, its place
in the history of the world languages, answering the question when and how the opportunity of
the arrival of the Turkic language on the coast of the Baltic Sea could become possible and what
was the historical period when the forming and developing of the Latvian language on the Turkic
basis could happen. Then we shall have a close look at the geographical map of the world in
order to understand better the outstanding role of the Turkic language in the history of peoples
and languages of the world. After that we shall make the analysis of grammatical system of the
Latvian language in order to understand how the Latvian language could spring and develop on
the basis of the Turkic language. Turning to the Russian language we shall examin its connection
with Turkic. Revealing and comparing the stages of the development of the Latvian and Russian
languages we shall determine the grade of their relationship to one another and to the Turkic
language.

1. The Hypothesis of the Origin of East European Substratum

Linguists state that in Indo-European languages of the territory of Europe there are elements
of non-Indo-European origin. That is, so called, substratum that leaves its imprints not only in
lexis, but in grammar structure of European languages as well.
Lets turn to the history of the humanity in order to examin the circumstances and calculate
the time of appearance of substratum lexis on the territory of East Europe.

1.1. The Role of Asia in the History of Europe

The unique role of Asia in the history of Europe was ascertained long ago. The Russian
historian and writer of the beginning of XIX century N. M. Karamzin says that the opinion that
Asia is the cradle of peoples seems to be fair as all European languages, regardless of the variety
of changes, continue keeping the similarities with ancient Asiatic (,1995, 51).
Archaeological discoveries of recent years presume that the motherland of humanity is Africa,
though thanks to its geographical position and climate one of the centers of birth and
development of human culture and its subsequent spread to other regions was Asia Minor. The
revolutionary stage of the history of humanity was the period of Neolithic. In Asia Minor it
ended several thousands years earlier than in Europe.
The period of Neolithic is the highest stage of the Stone Age that is characterized by new
technologies in making stone tools and producing articles of clay hardened by heat, the ceramics.
This stage is a transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and farming and consequently
to the settled lifestyle: permanent settlements, firmer dwellings, so-called country lifestyle.
The foundation of new, basically different economy was a long and complex process that had
independent and original character only in some centers of the world. According to the modern
data Europe didnt belong to any of them, but it was situated close enough to one of them, West
Asian, the ancient centre of agriculture and farming.

1.2. Who Were Ancient Inhabitants of Asia Minor?

About the ancient inhabitants of Syria and Palestine the researchers tell us the following. The
Bible contains a number of dim memories about prehistoric tribes. The ancient inhabitants are
5
depictured now giants speaking a completely strange language, now spirits of dead. Sometimes
they are called more realistically as cave people. All of them are contrasted with the Jews and
Hananians, the later Semitic inhabitants ( . ., 1988, 97).
In his monumental research work the famous turkologist M.Z. Zakiev gives a detailed
description of ancient areas of Turks, mentioning the names of ethnic groups inhabiting the areas
and explaining their names with the help of the Turkic language. As the most ancient region
inhabited by Turks the scientist names the regin of West Asia with a part of Asia Minor and
Caucasus. He points out that examining Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian and Urartu sources gave
opportunity to show the ancient history of West Asia in a new way. So the Azerbayjanian
linguist Firidun Agasioglu Djalilov having studied the above mentioned sources ascertains that
in IV-III millenniums BC between Assyria and Urartu, near the upper currents of the river Tiger,
the Turkic speaking Subar (sub-river, ar people that means people of the river) were
residing in. A little downstream the Turkic speaking Kuman, further on the Turkic speaking
Gutii and Lulu and on the southern shore of the Lake Urmia the Turkic speaking Turuki settled.
Among these groups the Turkic speaking Kumug, Kashgay, Salur and other tribes were also
represented.
The existence of the Turkic speaking areas of West Asia and Asia Minor is also proved by the
geographical objects bearing Turkic proper names that were common names in ancient times.
M. Z. Zakiev reflects on the roots of the Sumerians, the people famous all over the world as
inventors of writing, creators of first civilization, etc.
After Akkadian sources the region to the south of modern Bagdad was called Kienkir
(Kangar), there the Sumerians were residing in. The Sumerian people didnt call themselves
Sumerians, but Kangars. Kangar is a Turkic ethnonym. The Kangars could live there before
the arrival of the Sumerians, or the Sumerians could be the Kangars themselves. If the Sumerians
were Turks in IV millennium BC they were undergoing assimilation living among Semitic
speaking Akkadians. In this case Turkic words of their language are not derivations, but Turkic
substratum, i.e. remains of the Turkic language, native speekers of which accepted the Akkadian
speech (, 2002).
The great number of Turkic tribes living in Asia Minor in IV-III millenniums BC, Turkic
toponyms and hydronims preserved in this area, mentioning of ancient non-Semitic inhabitants
of this region in the Bible allows us us to suppose that the language of the earliest inhabitants of
this area could be entirely Turkic.

1.3. Ancient Inhabitants of the Territory of Modern Latvia

Archaeological explorations of the territory of Latvia show that first people arrived there at the
end of IX millennium BC. The remains of their staying were found near the old mouth of the
river Daugava. The anthropological phenotype of first inhabitants of the East Baltic region
2

anthropologists describe as ancient Mediterranian of the south origin ( ., 1959, II,
146).
Archaeologists revealed two Mesolithic settlements that can be referred to VI millennium BC.
One of them was situated on the shore of Lake Burtnieku, near the mouth of the river Rja.
Nearby, there is a Mesolithic burial-ground. Until now this is the only burial-ground that has
been found in the East Baltic region. The fact that red ochre was used there in burial rihtual is
very important, as it shows the roots of the first inhabitants culture. They lead to the burial-
grounds on the territories of Iraq and the Czech Republic, where red ochre was used already in
X-IX millenniums BC.
Not far from the Mesolithic burial-ground of Latvia there is a Neolithic burial-ground, too,
where red ochre was also used, though in smaller quantities.

2
The area of the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.
6
On the territory of modern Latvia Neolithic sites were found alongside the Mesolithic ones.
Archaeological discoveries prove the consecutive order in economic and cultural life of the
ancient people on the territory of modern Latvia. For example, first evidence of using harpoon
refers to the end of the Palaeolithic. In the period of Mesolithic the same kind of harpoon was
used by ancient people on the territory of modern Latvia. Fish-hook of the same kind occurred in
the Mesolithic and also Neolithic that is another evidence of this uninterrupted continuity.
The Mesolitic settlements on the territory of modern Latvia belong to the warm Atlantic period
when peoples settling on the coast of the Baltic Sea became possible. Historians state that about
VII millennium BC people of Europe acquired skills in making boats of hollowed out trees. At
that time the Baltic Sea was a huge basin of sweet water merging with a vast territory of swamp.
Rivers flowing from the territory of the Carpat Mountains brought their water to the Baltic Sea.
Moving from one place to another people used rivers and settled not far from them.
Archaeologists confirm that people went to the dense woodlands by rivers.
The warm Atlantic period made people more active than they were in the previous climatic
period. Till the beginning of the Neolithic period the population of settlements on the territory of
modern Latvia meaningly increased.
The fragments and whole objects of ceramics found on the territory of modern Latvia testify
that the art of ceramics didnt arise here. To the territory of Latvia it was derived from southwest
or southeastern regions, and there it was highly developed.

1.3.1. Folklore Symbols Testify

Symbolic depictions left by first inhabitants of the East Baltics on implements and then on
ceramics remind us tribe symbols of ancient Turks.
The depiction of comb is an element of ornament after which the comb-pit ceramics of the East
Baltics was called. The symbolic sign tarak comb is one of the tribe symbols of ancient Turks.
Symbolic depiction of the eternity of the world and the sun in the ancient ornaments of Baltic
settlers is entirely identical to the symbolic signs of ancient Turks called bersh and baybakti.
The Turkic sign kocey, is depicted as a vertical line. The vertical line is an ancient symbol of
force and fortitude in Latvian ornamental drawings. The horizontal line known in Latvian
ornamental art from time immemorial as a symbol of constancy and peace reminds us of the
Turkic sign bura.
Latvian symbolic depiction of the sky and home absolutely coincides with the depiction of the
Turkic sign cherkesh.
Known on the territory of modern Latvia since the Palaeolithic, the sign of light and fire,
energy and happiness depicted like a cross reminds us the ancient Turkic sign bagana.
The symbol of the sky, the universe, the God is known in Latvian ornamental art as an
equilateral triangle with the upward top. It is known to Turks as the sign tumar. The Turkic
sign tumar depicted as a triangle with the downward top is known as a symbol of earth and
fertility in Latvian ornamental drawings.
Both the Turks and Latvians depicted the sign of fire cross that is connected with four parts
of the world.
The sign depicted on sacred stones and later on articles of ceramics on the territory of modern
Latvia reminds us two horses or cocks heads or twin cereal spikes. Since ancient times it has
been known to both the Turks and Latvians as a symbol of fertility, wealth and happiness,
decorating roofs of dwellings.


1.3.2. Language of Ancient People on the Territory of Modern Latvia

Investigators of ethnic Anthropology of the Easy Baltic region find ethnic links of ancient
inhabitants of this territory with southern tribes of Europoids. They speak about the fact of past
7
existence of multiple non-Indo-European peoples on the European coast of the Mediterranean
Sea, as well as in the North (e.g. Scotland) that makes them think of similar ethnic units in other
parts of ancient Europe, for example, on the territory of the modern Baltics. The scientists mark
the influence of non-Finno-Ugric and non-Indo-European languages on the languages of the East
Baltics and nearby territories (o, 1959, II, 153 155).

We have already mentioned Sumerians, the people that takes a particular place in the forming
of knowledge and culture of Asia Minor. The Sumerians called themselves Kangars. Kangar
is the name of an ancient Turkic ethnos of Mesopotamia. It permits scientists to suppose the
Turkic origin of the Sumerians that has been approved by the analysis of their language.

It is fascinating that in the geographical center of Latvia we find the name Kangarkalni that
being translated from Latvian means the mountains of Kangars.
At some distance from the sea we find a chain of towns. One of them has the name Kangari.
Other names of this chain attract ones attention by ending in i: Ainai, Ropai, Suntai, etc.
Turning to the Turkish language we can see that with the help of the affix ci [di] and its
phonetic variants Turkic words for a man by his occupation, inclination, connection are formed.
For example, in Turkish kundura means shoes, kundurac shoe-maker, demir iron-
demirci blacksmith. With the help of Turkish stem morphems we decipher the names of these
Latvian towns:
Ainai: in Turkish aynac means one who makes or sells mirrors. We must point out
that obsidian mirrors were produced on the territory of modern Turkey in VI millenium
BC(, 2006, 18).

Ropai: in Turkish rop means woman gown without sleevs. Adding the affix -ci [i]
people could call woman gowns maker or seller;
Suntai: sunta in Tukish means fiberboard, accordingly, its maker must be called
suntac;
Limbai: in Turkish the word limba means barge, with the help of ci [i] could be
called its maker or seller;
Kirbii: in Turkish krba means waterskin, its maker or seller must be called
krbac;
Allai: the Turkish word allk/all means rouge, to make the name of maker/seller we
must add the affix c;
Pabai: in Turkish pabu means shoe, pabuu - shoemaker, who makes and sells
shoes.
t can be surprising, but we really find out a number of towns that got their names due to
the things that were made or sold there.

We cant explain by means of the Latvian language the names of places and other
geographical objects on the territory of modern Latvia where the Mesolithic and Neolithic
settlements were found.
If we have a look at them through the prism of the Turkish language we can guess that
the name Osa, one of two Mesolithic settlements, initially could have the name Os. The Turkic
sound [1] could get transformed into []. The words as, os are ancient Turkic ethnonyms
(, 2002).
The name of the river Ia [it] that flows near the settlement cannot be explained with
the help of Latvian either. In Turkish the word i/ii [it/iti] means inside, inner, inland, and
also heart, soul; the verb imek and verbial noun ie mean to drink/drinking.
The name of the river Rja, where the second Mesolitic settlement was situated, in
Turkish means dream (rya).
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The name of Lake Burtnieku , where the river Rja flows into, is in tune with the Turkish
verb burtmak to make twist. In Latvian the verb burt means to make magic movements,
action to reach that is wished. Turkic word burt beehive', appearently, gave birth to the
Russian word [bortnik] one who collects honey of forest bees.
In Mesolithic settlements of Latvia a great number of bone harpoons, 2,10m long runner of a
sledge, a hoe made of bone, a bone knife with the handle in the form of an elks head as well as
other articles were found. Latvian names of these articles remind us of corresponding Turkish
stems and sound so alike that we can suspect the origin of these Latvian words from the Turkish
stems:

the Latvian kamanas sledge concur with the Turkish keman bow;
shafts of sledge were attached to the first pair of uprights
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; the Latvian word ilkss shaft
concur with the Turkish word ilk first;
the Latvian word ebrklis harpoon finds a similar stem morpheme in the Turkish
words cebretmek/cebren to force/by force, when -ki/-k and -li are frequantly used
affexis of the Turkish language meaning correspondingly which and with;
the Latvian kaplis a hoe is close in its meaning and sounding to the Turkish verb
kapamak to cover, to bury, to hide, here we also find the Turkish affix li with, so
the word kaplis initially could mean the thing to cover with.
As the result of ecological changes that took place in the post-glacial period, Mesolithic
population of East Euorope was engaged mainly in fishing and hunting solitary animals
( 1988, 66)
The name of the animal that was one of the main sources of nutrial and economic
resources of first people on the territory of modern Latvia is suprisingly connected with
the Turkish verb lnmak to be taken, ln is the verb noun. The Latvian name of this
animal is alnis elk.

Thus findings and explorings on the territory of the modern Baltics affirm that the culture that
was inherited by the Latvians came here from the South. That can testify that the language
brought by first settlers was the language of people of the South. The great number of Turkic
ethnic groups forming the ancient population of Mesopotamia makes us think that the first
residents of South-East Europe were ethnic groups speaking Turkic, as, probably, at that time
any other language just didnt exist.
Revealing the connection of Latvian geographical names, Latvian names of things used by
ancient people, designations of nature, animals and plants of ancient mans environment with the
Turkic language gives us the ground to suppose that the language of ancient inhabitants on the
territory of modern Latvia arises from the Turkic language.
The mastery, knowledge and culture of the Sumerians inherited by them from their Turkic
ancestors makes us think that for their knowledge, mastery and culture the Latvians are obliged
to lucky circumstances of appearance of that or another highly developed Turkic ethnic group on
the coast of the Baltic Sea in the Metholoitic period.
The traditions, religion and symbols of folk songs and arts of Lithuanians and Latvians are
saturated with the past The Pro-Christian layer appeared to be so old that it undoubtedly arises
to the prehistorical times (, 2004, 187).

The only revealed Mesolithic burial place of the modern Baltics in the region of Lake
Burtnieku in Latvia witnesses that there were permanent dwellings of ancient people there. This

3
Rods that fasten a sledge seat to runners.
9
fact makes us think that later the knowledge, mastery and culture of those dwellers were
overtaken by other groups of people who settled in the neighbouring regions.
As acknowledgement of the fact that the substratum was a language of an ethnos of a high
culture can be archeological excavations of sites of workshops on the territory of Latvia
evidencing of high skills of their owners. Craftsmen of modern Latvia keep their mastery of
treating skins and producing leather articles, of making ceramics, weaving of willows and osiers
and other crafts.
Historians testify to high spiritual culture of the ancient Latvians. Cultic knowledge of
Latvian priests, highly respected by neighboring tribes, spread a great distance away from
residential places of inhabitants of the territory of modern Latvia.The power of this knowledge,
connected with the nature, has been preserved by the Latvians till nowadays in spiritualization of
nature, extensive usage of folk symbols, keeping ancient traditions, transferring spiritual culture,
knowledge and mastery to young generations.

2. Geographical Names of Turkic Etymology

From historical sources we know that at the beginning of the Common Era peoples of Europe
were polyethnic. Scientists affirm that among Kimmerians, Scythers and Sarmatians there were
more Turkic tribes than tribes of any other ethnic representatives living in Europe nowadays
(, 2002).
The aim of the chapter is to show the endless list of Turkic geographical names that we find
not only in Europe, but all over the world. The fact can testify that apparently there were times
when the humanity didnt speak any other language, but Turkic.
The territory of modern Latvia is remarkable for the numerous ancient toponyms and
hydronyms of Turkic etymology that has been preserved there. This fact witnesses that
inhabitants of that region were initially conspicuous for their high spiritual culture. They were
preserving their cultural heritage and defending it zealously.
Knowing rules of forming and connecting Turkic words gives us opportunity to see and
recognize them wherever they appear: in geographical names, vocabularies of languages, etc.

What is the Turkic word distinguished for and why can it be easily spotted?

1. An affix of the Turkic language is almost invariable. It has a fixed
meaning and is clearly visible.
2. A Turkic word has distinct inner forms that helps readily detect semantic
motivations in word formation.
3. Turkic words can be easily divided into morphological units.
4. Turkic word roots are laconic and stable.
5. A great number of Turkic words is noticeable because of their sound
symbolism, i.e. the words can arouse appearance oI ideas or senses: dirdir annoying
chattering, tirtik a nick, a notch'. This particularity of the Turkic language is the
brightest evidence of the exceptional antiquity of the language that takes us to that stage
in the development of humans language which stands close to the definition the
language of children.

2.1. Turkic Toponyms and Hydronyms on the World Map

Its not surprising that we find lots of Turkic toponyms and hydronyms on the map of
Central and Middle Asia. Obviously, the name of the continent itself arises to the ancient Turkic
ethnonym s.
10
Maybe the origin of the word e that we find in some languages (in Turkish as means a
person who excels in some activity) is also connected with the ethnonym s. Then the word
Asia should be translated to aces (the final - is the affix of the Turkish e hali that indicates
the direction of an action).
The geographical name Siberia also corresponds with the Turkic ethnonym sabr, but the
Turkish meaning of the word sabr is patience.
On the geographical map of America the name of the Central American plateau Ozark
catches our eye. It reminds us of a combination of the Turkish words z ark that mean the
essential irrigation trench. The name of the Andes corresponds to the Turkish word nt/and an
oath. The name Canada apparently has originated from Turkish kanat/kanad a wing, a flank.
In the geographical centre of Australia there is mountain Uluru sacred for aboriginals. Its
name may sprung from the Turkic stem morphemes ul great, ur outgrowth, swelling and the
Turkic affix of the 3-rd person -u.
On the territory of Nicaragua there is an island metepe where the worlds first signs of
farming have been found out. The second part of the word must be the Turkic word tepe a hill.
On the geographical map of Turkey there are lots of compound names with tepe: Kiziltepe Red
Hill, Gltepe Hill of Roses, Gktepe Hill of the Sky.

There are plenty of islands of Turkic ethimology in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. On
one of them, Sulavesi, the Kayan people live. The people believe that the motherland of
humanity Tanatova is on their island. They believe that the life started in the sacred wood where
first people appeared and where they live now, so nobody is allowed to enter that sacred wood.
Drawings made in red ochre paint on the steep lime cliffs of the island approve that people
settled there 30 000 years ago (Enigma, 2008, 67).
The name of the island contains the Turkic stem morpheme su water and the Turkic
word-forming affix -la meaning with'.
The name Tanatova consists of three Turkish stem morphemes: tan atmak (for day) to
break, to dawn, ova grassy plain, meadow and means the plain where it dawns.
One of the meanings of the Turkish verb kaymak is to escape, kayan is the form of the
present participle, that is why the name of the folk can mean the escaping.
The Turkish Russian dictionary explains the words kara yel as North-West wind (,
2005, 316).
Literally translated kara yel means black wind. This wind in the Baltics in winter is a
serious trial for the world of animals. The geographical name Karelia could have derived from
these words, then it may be translated to the black wind, because the Turkish affix (-ya)
indicates the direction of an action.
The name of the Donegol plateau in North-West Ireland can be translated from the Turkish
language as icy lake. It reminds us of the compound name of the Bingl plateau in Turkey
meaning thousand of lakes. This place of Ireland is connected with Celtic legends about the
aborigines of the island the Great Folk of the Goddess Danu (in Old Turkic dana means wise
(Enigma, 2008, 38).
Kaldra, the name of the ancient graveyard of Boa island in Ireland, corresponds to the
Turkish verb kaldrmak that means to bury according to the rituals, but the name of the island
concurs with the Turkish verb bomak to torture, to torment a persons nerves.
In ancient times the name of the Latvian river Daugava was Duna that corresponds to the
Turkish word dun meaning low, lower. Its remarkable that in ancient times the name of the
river Danube was Duna, too.
The names of Visla, Oka, Volga, Kama, Yenisey also stem from theTurkic language.
Its noteworthy that the geographical names of Turkic etymology trace to the ancient
worlds history. In one or another way they are connected with stories about ancient tribes and
peoples. It allows us to make the conclusion that the Turkic language stands closest to the
mankinds cradle than any other language.
11

2.2. Turkic Toponyms and Hydronyms of Latvia

Having heard the answer Im from the Baltics, a Turkman asked: Baltic, is it a
swamp?
There is a linguistic hypothesis connecting the name Baltic with the Rumanian word balta
swamp, pond, lake, Albanian balte mud Lithuanian and Latvian bala pool, Old-Slavic
[blato] swamp (Dini, 2000, 29).
In Turkish the word balk means clay. Taking into consideration the importance of clay
in the Neolitic we can presume that the name Baltic was originated from the word balk
[balt1k].
As we marked earlier, words of Turkic origin are given away by the distinctive form
and stable meaning of their affixes.
Examining Latvian toponyms ang hydronyms we find some of them ending in -d
(-t). Lets try to translate them keeping in mind that the Turkic morpheme -d (-t its voiceless
form) points to the local case and means to be/to be located somewhere.
The geographical name Dagda that we find in East Latvia will mean on the hill (Turk.
da means highland, mountain), and the town is really situated on a high hill. The name of the
river Amata will mean at the blind persons, i.e. blindly, as ama in Turkish means blind,
and countless windings of this river approve this name: going down by the river admired by
tourists is not an easy deed.
The Turkish morpheme le (-la) shows belonging to the instrumental case and means
with, together with, by means of, by, then the name of the Latvian river Memele may be
translated with mothers breast (Turk. meme breast, udder)
The name of the Latvian river Msa reminds us the Profits name Musa who later in
Christianity and Judaism got the name Moses. The name of the highest peak of the Balkans is
Musala meaning with/by Musa. Maybe the name of the sacred town Musasir of the ancient
state Biainili (Urartu) is also connected with the name of the Profit Musa.
With the help of the Turkish language we can decipher innumerous names on the
geographical map of Latvia:
Mustkalni - hills where an exciting message was received as mutu in Turkish means
an exciting news;
Kalupe - river that stays at a place (Turk. kalmak to stay);
Durupe - river that doesnt move, in Turkish durmak means to remain at a place;
Balupe - honey river, . bal honey;
Kurma (lake) - in Turkish kurma means an edifice;
Ia (river) in Turkish imek means to drink, ie is the form of present participle;
Sable, the name of the town may be related to the Turkish word sap a bundle of
cornstalks, the affix -le means with, i.. with bundles of cornstalks;
Talsi, the name of the town associates with the Turkish tali secondary, subordinate, -
si the affix of the 3rd person;
kele, iskele in Turkish means pier, port, from the history we know that the town
used to be a significant port on the river Daugava;
Bulduri, the name of this health resort on the coast of the Baltic Sea may apply to the
Turkish verb buldurmak to make sombody remember something;
Sigulda, in Turkish silik/sl means shallow, af. da means on, in, so the name of
the town can be read as on the shallow place;
Rjena, Turk. rya dream, the af. of the 2nd person n, the af. of e hali , that
means to your dream;
Koknese, Turk. kken motherland, - si af. of the 3rd person, i..their motherland;
12
Ataiene, Turk. ate fire, ateine - to your fire (af. of the 2nd person -in, af. of direction
);
Kamalda, Turk. kama strengthening, -la > l with, -da in, i.e. in a strengthened place;
Krimulda,Turk. krm oI kirmak to exterminate, to break, to destroy, to cut down (trees),
af. da in: the name may be explained in a clearing.
Azanda, Turk. az little, af.in (i > a) of in hali
4
, af. da in; the name can be explained
in a small number, in a shortage;
Dindas[ns], Turk. cinci [n] a charmer (bringing an evil spirit);
Jrsika[je:rsik], the name of the town apparently derives from the Turkish yer[jer]
place, af. of the 3rd person si, af. -ki that, which, so the name means belonging to that
place; of that place. Compare it with the Russian ecclesiastical term [jeres] that means
something that is opposite to a common point of view and belongs to a certain place; it
originates from the same Turkish morphemes.
Kente, the name of the first fortified town on the territory of modern Latvia, surprisingly
coinsides with the Turkish word kent town. As there is the Turkic affix te meaning in, the
name probably meant in the fortified place.
The Russian historian and writer of I century N.. Karamzin spoke about Slavic pagans
that had the same gods with the tribes on the territory of modern Latvia. He presumes that the
name of the Russian tribe Krivichi approves that the tribe regarded the Latvian priest Krive as
the Head of their religion (, 1995, I, p. 91).
The name of the Latvian town Krivanda may arise from the name rive, but the Turkish
affixes -n- (3rd person) and da in, at make us translate it at rivs people.
Oziki, Turk. zini a place abundant with water, -ki that. The name of the town could
mean the place that is abundant with water.
The etymology of the Latvian city Rezekne apparently can be explained with the help of the
Turkish word rzk/rzkn (form of 2nd or 3rd person, accusative) meaning ones daily bread.
Compare it with the Russian verb [ryskat], that means to seek a prey.
The name Uava may be derived from the Turkish word uca high and ova plain.
One of the Turkic ethnic names is Kangali. It reminds us of the Baltic ethnic names
Zemgali and Latgali.
The Turkish word gl a lake can be found in geographical names of Turkey: Bingl,
Karagl, Glpazar.
The name of the region of Latvia Letgola may arise from the Turkish word gl a lake
and mean the lakes of Letts; the name of the Latvian region Zemgale may originate from the
Turkish word cemi all and gl and mean all the lakes.
The Baltic ethnic name emaiti [emaiti] corresponds to the Turkish word cemaatti
[emaati] that has the following meanings: group, crowd, religious community.


2.3. Baltic Hydronyms on the Map of Europe, or the Problem of Pan-Baltic

In 1960-s linguists started to speak about innumerable hydronyms of Baltic origin on the
vast territory of East Europe. Further research work leads to expanding the area of the
hydronyms so far that the explorers cannot stop being surprised. Due to the phenomenon a
number of Lithuanian scientists trace out the border of ancient Baltic peoples residing area near
the Urals. As to the West border of their permanent dwelling, earlier it was marked alongside the
river Visla, but now it stretches much further, and the phenomenon is discussed vigorously.
The Italian specialist of Baltic philology P.U. Dini points out that this surprising prevalence of
Baltic elements asks following strict methods in hydronyms research work not to make the
comfortable panacea of pan-Baltic as the simplest decision of all questions (Dini, 2000, 34).

4
Corresponds to the genitive
13

The Latgalian scientist A.Breidaks wrote, that linguists had discovered innumerous Baltic
- Old Balkan parallels in the field of onomastics. One third of Latgalian names of rivers have
similarities with Old Balkan, partially with Central European and Asia Minor onomastic as a
whole and hydronimic in particular (Breidaks, 2002, 3540).
As it has already been shown great part of ancient Baltic hydronyms and toponyms
concur with Turkic lexis and can be easily deciphred with the help of Turkish stem morphemes.
Their semantic is very close to the semantic of Turkish stems. Moreover, Turkish stems are
always motivating for them.
Let us look for some more geographical names of Europe that could arise from the Turkic
stems.
On the map of Central and East Europe there is a great number of geographical names
that in Latvian end in ava/-ova: Daugava, Kuprova, Varava, Maskava (Turk. Moskova). In the
Turkish language the word ova means plain, meadow, then the name Varava could mean the
meadow of the suburb (Turk. varo suburb). Compare it with the geographical name Yeilova
the green meadow that we find in Turkey.
One of the earlest names of the river Daugava/West Dvina as well as the name of the
North Dvina was the Duna. t can be explained with the Turkish dun low, lower.
In the Turkish language the word vzlamak means to buzz, to hum, to keep on
complaining. The name of the river Visla reminds us of the Turkish word vz buzz, hum, the
Turkish affix -la means with, so the name can be translated as with buzzing, or keeping on
complaining. We find a river with the same name Vizla in Latvia as well.
The name of the river Volga in Russia (on the banks of that even nowadays many peoples
which languages are not understandable for the Russian people live) may correspond to the old
Turkish name of a kind of a fishing net vol a.
The name of the tributary of the Danube, the Tisa, reminds of the Turkish verb tslamak
to hiss.
The name of the river Nmunas (Niemen), with widely open sound in the Lethuanian
language,may arise from the Turkish stem nam name, reputation, fame.
The name of azuria (North Poland) that once was a part of Prussia can have its origins
in the Turkish word mazur excused, excusable.
Both in Europe and in the Urals we find rivers with the same name Kuma that could
spring from the Turkish word kum sand.
A great number of geographical names of Turkic etymology on the territory of Europe
must refer to the times when Neolithic inhabitants of Asia Minor were settling on uninhabited
territories of Europe. They were bringing their knowledge, culture and their language stem
morphemes which served as the basis of producing new lexis naming their ancestors, pagan gods
and people, geographical objects, implements and nature, parts of humans body, clothes, people
activities, fruits of their labour, definitions of human social life and so on and so forth.
It is remarkable that the Russian scientist Drozdov Y. N., showing the panorama of Europe
of the first centuries of AD, finds the countless number of Turkic ethnic names on its territory.
The names of modern European countries the scientist also explains by means of the Turkic
language: Austria Country of As
5
Sewers, England Country of Quick-witted men, Russia
Country of As Men, etc., etc. (, 2008, 366).

3. The Discovery of the Turkic Substratum in the Latvian language

So, the great number of Latvian geographical names that can be read with the help of the
Turkish language leads to finding out and dechiphering substratum lexis of the Latvian language.

5
The word As is the most ancient Turkic ethnonym.
14
As the revealed substratum lexis makes a great number of words of the Latvian language
it is possible to unite the words in groups according to their meanings.

3.1. Ancestors, Gods, Names of People, Symbols

Probably, preserving traditions of polytheism helped Latvian people to save the words
that make the greatest interest for a linguist. In the Latvian language spirits of dead name the
words vei, urgui, ii, elki. In the Turkish language the word veli means patron, saint, the
word uruk/uru means tribe, clan, when the Turkish affix i/i is used in creayting nouns of
nominal stems naming a person related to the nominal stems meaning. The Turkish word ilgi
which the Latvian word ii is corresponding to means relation, connection. The Latvian word
elki reminds us of the Turkish word el that means hand, af. ki means that. But it is more
likely that the word elki (with the open sound [] in the first syllable) has been produced from
the stem morpheme of the verb almak to take and affix ki, alki, with the meaning the one
who takes, as according to the belief, spirits of ancestors take gifts brought by living people.
Compare it with the name of the Latvian river Alkupe (Engl. the river of elki, i.e. the river of
those who takes gifts).
In the Lithuanian language the word alkas means a hill or another place for sacrificing.
The famous archeologist Gimbutas . describing the pagan rituals of the Baltic tribes, writes,
that their sacred grottoes usually were situated on a hill called Alka (, 2004, 192).

In Poland not far from the Belorussian border there is a town with the name Elk.

The Latvian word urgui, naming spirits of ancestors, earns special attention, as being
used still at the end of the XIX century it has started to get forgotten.
It must be pointed out that words of substratum lexis are the most ancient words of the
Latvian language that gradually disappear from it.
Name of one of the ancient Latvian god si could spring from the Turkish word us
reason, intellect. Compare it with the Russian phraseological unit that means
understand and keep in ones mind where the word [us] must be of the same origin.

The most popular and beloved name of the Latvians is Jnis [ja:nis]. With its honouring
the greatest Latvians holiday is connected. It coincides with the day of summer solstice that is
preceded by the night of bright fires burnt on lake shores, river banks and on the coast of the sea.
It is called the Day of Jnis. In the Turkish language the word yan [jan] means burning and is
originated from the verb yanmak [janmak] to burn.
The Latvian nameKrijnis apparently arises from the Turkish kar yan the opposite
fire. The etymology of the Russian name [Uljan] can be explained with the help of the
Turkish words ulu yan great fire.

There is a row of popular Latvian men and women names Guna, Gunta, Guntis, Gunrs,
having the same stem with the Turkish words gn [gyn]
6
day, gne [gyne] the sun. In the
Latgalian language, a language related to Latvian, the word gus means fire, in the Latvian
language fire is uguns, in Russian /ogon. In the English language we also find the
corresponding word gun.

The Latvian names Ainrs, Aigars, Aivars may spring to the Turkish word [aj] the moon.
Compare them with the Turkish names Ayla with the moon, Nuray full moon. As the Turkish
word var means is the Latvian name Aivars can be read in the moonlight. In the dictionary of

6
In this work the Turkish vowel represented by is transcribed as [y].
15
the Latvian human names we find an old female name Aila, that absolutely corresponds to the
Turkish female name Ayla (Sili, 1990).


The etymology of both the Latvian female name Sarma and the word sarma hoar-frost
may originate from the Turkish verb sarmak to embrace, to cover. The verb has also the
meaning to interest, to captivate, so the name Sarma can be connected with this meaning.
The Turkish verb oymak [ojmak] to scoop out, to engrave, to carve and its participle
oyar [ojar] carving, engraving, scooping out could give birth to the Latvian male name jrs.
The Latvian male name Egils can stem from the Turkish verb eilmek to get down to (a
job).
The etymology of the Latvian male name Varis can arise from the Turkish word varis
meaning inheritor (Turk.varmak to have).

For both the Turks and Latvians symbolic depiction of things they worshipped was of
great importance. A great number of Latvian folklore symbols correspond to Turkic
mythological symbols.
The Latvian word jumis [jumis] naming the symbol of family luck and fortility
corresponds to the Turkish word yom [jom] bringing luck, good news.
The Turk Bulgarians depicted the symbol of dawn, home and family luck as a two-
headed bird ergi an eagle. The Latvian word erglis eagle must be connected with the Turkic
word ergi (Turk. -li means with).
In Pre-historic times ornaments of amber were made on the territory of modern Latvia.
They were believed to have magic power. The Latvian word dzintars means amber. It can be
explained with the help of the Turkish words cin[din] evil spirit and ters opposite, contrary,
so the word named the thing opposing or fighting evil spirits. The etymology dictionary of the
Latvian language gives a variant of the word dzintars with the second syllable ters: dzinters
(Karulis, 2001, 255).


3.2. Man, Earth, Water

The Latvian word cilvks man and dzve life correspond to the Turkish words civelek
[divelek] lively, vivacious, communicative and civcivli [divdivli] lively, crowded, busy
that makes us notice the initial connection between the Latvian words cilvks and dzve. It is
clear that both the Turkish and Latvian words have the same stem morpheme civ. Its worth to
point out that once the Latvian verb dzvot to live was used with the word darbs work and
dzvot darbu meant to work.
The Russian historian and writer of the XIX century N.M.Karamzin speaking about the pagan
religion of Old Slavs mentions their Goddess of Life named [Siva] or [zhiva]
( 1995, I, 89).
The Latvian word dzsla vein (Turk. la means with) corresponds to the Turkish word
cisim [disim] body.
The Latvian words sen long ago and sencis ancestor relate to the Turkish sene a
year. The Latvian adjective sensens very old, ancient, immemorial is made by doubling the
root morpheme. In the Turkish language this type of word-forming is used in making adjectives
expressing a high degree of a quality, for example, gzel gzel very beautiful, byuk byuk
very big, etc.
The Latvian word zeme coinsides with the Turkish word zemin that has the same
meaning earth, ground. In Latvian there are words zem under, zems low and the verb of the
16
same stem pazemot to humble, to abase. In the Turkish language the verb zemmetmek means
to disparage, to speak ill ofand it is made of the words zem disparagement and etmek to do,
to make.
The name of the sacred well Zemzem (Engl. Zamzam) of Kaaba at Mecca draws
attention in this connection as well.

We find the Turkish stem morpheme su water in the Latvian word sula juice where
the Turkish affix -la means having a quality of that is mentioned by the stem morpheme and
that corresponds to the Turkish word sulu meaning juicy. On the map of Latvia there are many
geographical names containing the Turkish stem morpheme su, for example, Sudarbe, where the
word darbe means a blow, a stroke, therefore the name Sudarbe can be read as a blow of
water. Perhaps, the Latvian word darbs labour springs from the Turkish word darbe and it is
not occasional that in the Russian language there is a set expression . In the
Bulgarian language the word darba means labour as well.
The name of the town Subate could be derived from the verb batmak to sink, to go below
the surface. In Latvia there are streams with the names Sulka, Suda, Sumulda, Sumanka, etc.
containing the root morpheme su and the Turkish affixes la/-l, -da, -ki/-ka, therefore they can
also be deciphered.
We can find the Turkish root morpheme su in lots of geographical names not only in Latvia. So
Near Polish Belorussian border there is a town Suvalki, its name could arise from the Turkish
vali a governor, af. -ki that and mean the one who controls usage of water. The name of the
tributary of the river Daugava Suraki could be compounded of the words su water, rae
tremble, quiver, ripple and mean ripple of water.
The Turkish word valide mother corresponds to the Latvian verb valdt to rule.

The Latvian word sauss dry, waterless must have its origin in the Turkish adjective
susuz that has the same meaning (the affix suz in Turkish shows absence of quality).
The Latvian word dens water with open sound [e] stands closest to the Turkish word
sudan out of water, from water, with the help of water. In the Russian language we find the
words [udit] to fish, [uda] fishing- rod and [voda] water.
The etymology of the Latvian word jra sea must be connected with the Turkish verb
remek to increase, when the Latvian ezers a lake arise from the Turkish ezer melting that
is a present participle of the Turkish verb ezmek to melt, to run over.

In the Turkish language there is a verb akmak to flow, to run (water). The Latvian word
aka a well can be connected with this verb. The name of the Latvian town Akniste associates
with the Turkish word akn a torrent, a stream (Turk. af. of the 3rd person s and af. of the
locative case -te
7
), and must mean in the stream.

The Latvian word dibens has a corresponding word dip/dibi in Turkish that has the same
meaning bottom.

In the Turkish language upuzun means very long; the word consists of up and uzun
long. In Latvian the word upe means river. The morpheme up can be found in the Latvian
words lejup down, downwards, augup up, upwards, malup at/on/to the side.
The Latvian word urga stream could be derived from the Turkic root morpheme ur and
the Turkic affix ga. The Turkish word ur means outgrowth, in the Tatar language [ur]
means ditch, dyke, [urgil] rapid, gush, |urgilu| seethe. In Latvia there is a
river called Ura. We find the Turkish affix -ga in the Turkish words yonga chip, shaving (of

7
In Turkish it is -de hali, the case expressing location.
17
wood), kavga fight, quarrel. The Turkish word kavga corresponds to the Latvian verb kauties
to fight.
.
3.3. Home, Parents, Holidays

In the Turkish language there are two words maya, one of them means female of a herd
animal, another word means origin, blood. The Latvian word mja home may originate from
one of them. In the Bulgarian language the word aa [majka] means mother.
The word nams a house apparently appeared later than the word mja home, house
and it is probably connected with the Turkish word nam meaning name, fame, reputation, too.
The origin of the Latvian word istaba a room could arise from the Turkish verb stmak to
heat, to warm. This name could appear when people had learnt to build houses with a room
heated by a clay stove (ni, 2003, 198).
The Russian word [izba] a house, a hut must arise from the Latvian word istaba: *
isitba ~ istaba ~ izba.
In the Latvian language there is a colloquial word ata So long! See you! The etymology
of this word may arise from the Turkish word at horse in the form of the dative case
8
meaning
to horse! The Latvian verb jt to ride a horse must arise also from the Turkish word at, where
the sound [j] was added.
The Latvian words ttafather with the open sound [] (compare it with the Russian
[tata]
9
father) and mamma mother may originate from the Turkish words ata father
and meme breast, udder. Nowadays one can hear a Latvian calling a capricious child memmes
dls mothers son, i.e. a suckling.
In the Turkish language the word kem means evil, malicious. In the Latvian language
the word ms means a fool, a visible ghost, fright.
In the Latvian language masked people going all round the village with jokes and songs
(that was connected with the ritual of blessing and fertility) are called budi (sing. budlis). In
the Turkish language there is also the word budala meaning a fool, foolish, crazy (about), for
example, moda budalas the one who is crazy about new fashions. In Turkish there are some
more words of the same stem: budalamak to become stupid/crazy, budalalik stupidity,
foolishness, craze.
If the Latvian word egle fir-tree (Russ. [jel]) arise from the Turkish verb elemek to
amuse the custom of decorating a New Year tree rises to the remote past. It becomes clear why
in the Russian language there is another word for a decorated fir-tree , meaning
amusement that is of the same stem with the word to amuse. In the book of Latvian
folksongs we find a description of a Latvian burial rite, after burial giving a flogging to the dead
persons family with a fir branch, saying Dont die! Dont die!

(Jansons, 1942, 184).


3.4. Parts of Humans Body, Things, Actions

In the Latvian language there are words that stem from the Turkish words and call parts
of a human body.
So, in the Turkish language the word amak means to open, in Latvian the word acs/aele
(dim. form) means an eye. In the Latvian etymological dictionary we find an old word aka
that had two meanings: one-eyed person and clever, mysterious person (Karulis, 2001, 55).

The Latvian word elkonis an elbow is connected with the Turkish el hand. The
Latvian word is created with the help of the Turkish affixes -ki and n and its meaning is

8
In Turkish it is e hali, indicating direction
9
Here the soft variant of the Russian consonant represented by is transcribed as [t]
18
related to a hand. The Russian word [lokot] elbow came to the Russian language
from Latvian having had some phonetical changes.
The Latvian word kja[ka:ja] a leg could relate to the Turkish ayak[ajak] a leg where
rearrangement of syllables could take place. It could also correspond to the Turkish verb kaymak
to slip, to slide, to skid, ayak skies. Its remarkable that the most ancient dipictions of
skiers have been found on the cliffs of the east shore of Lake Onega and the west coast of the
White Sea. They date to the Neolithic (, 1954, 56).

It seems evident that the Turkish word aya palm (of the hand) gave birth to the Latvian
verb aijt to lull (to sleep).
The origin of the following words also seems to be connected with the Turkish stems: the
Latvian zarnas intestines, gut with the Turkish zar membrane, pellicle, the Latvian galva
head with the Turkish kelli head, the Latvian dzsla vein with the Turkish cisim body.
The Latvian word ddas bagpipe corresponds to the Turkish words dudu hum, buzz,
drone and dudak a lip. Ddia is Latvian affectionate addressing a child.

In the Latvian language there is a word pastalas pastalas (piece of sole-leather formed as
simple foot-wear). In the Turkish language post means skin, postal -combat boot.
The Turkish word aka[jaka] means collar, the Latvian jaka [jaka]- a jacket, a blazer.
The Latvian word kapuce hood could arise from the Turkish word cover, top. The
Turkish word ut means military greatcoat. The Latvian word kaplia family vault
corresponds to the Turkish verb kaplamak to cover and the adjective kapl covered.
The Latvian verb durt to stub, to prick corresponds to the Turkish drtmek to prod.
The words dre fist' and piedurkne sleeve of the Latvian language apparently have their
origins in the Turkish verb drmek to roll up.
Dikmek means sew in the Turkish language, the corresponding word diegs of the Latvian
language means thread, cotton.
In the Turkish language lle lle means in curls, curly, the Latvian words lelle a doll
apparently arose from Turkish lle ile in curls, curly. The Latvian verb lolot to cherish, to pet
can be connected with the word lle, too. Compare it with the Russian word [lulka]
cradle. In the Russian folklore there is the personage of Golden-haired Lel (Russ.
).
In Latvia there is a town Lielvrde. The name reminds us of the Turkish words lle vard
there was a spring, as the word lle means also a spring. There are cases when residents of
Latvia build a house on a spring. The spring continues its existance under the house, and only the
house owners can use it.
The Latvian word ipars a doll, a baby coincides with the Turkish kpar blinking ones
eyes, the form of the present participle of the Turkish verb kpmak to blink.
The Turkish word ier [iter] drinks (imek to drink) reminds us of the Latvian dzer
drinks (dzert -to drink). There is a river with the name Ia [ita] in Latvia, too.
The Latvian verb st to eat must have its origins in the Turkish verb yemek to eat.
Compare the Russian dialectal form [jist] eats with the Turkish. yiyor [jijor] eats.
In the Turkish language burtmak means to make twist, in the Latvian language the verb
burt means to conjure, to practise magic.
More words that refer to this group are shown in table 1.
Table 1
Turkish word Translation Latvian word Translation
tapa stopper tapa stopper
ile with, together with lens awl
19
verev diagonal virve rope
man bow kamanas sledge
dokumak weave deis blanket
ilk

first ilkss shaft
kuka

ball, tangle ka/kuka

cake/kitchen

tur/turta round/pie, tart torte cake

The Enlish word tart (an open pastry case containing jam, etc.) is connected with the Old
French tarte and Latin medieval tarta the origin of that is unknown.
10
Both tarte and tarta
remind us of the Turkish turta originated from the root morpheme tur and the affix of the
locative case -ta.


3.5. Animals, Plants, Nature


Table 2
Turkish word Translation Latvian word Translation

kedi cat kae/kais pussy-cat/tom-cat
bbr leopard bebris beaver
zil bell zle titmouse
sila motherland slis jay
sila motherland sils pine forest
11

linmak/alin to be taken/verbal noun

elk

duymak to sense dja pigeon, dove

sunmak to submit suns dog
kurmak to set up, to form kurmis mole

asmak/asar to suspend, to skip, to
disappear
asaris perch
li geol.alluvium lnis tench
asmak/asti to hang up, to suspend aste tail
ut/ut yeri shame/genitals uts louse
t

horse

jt

to ride a horse
armak/karip to mix/mixed karpa carp

ilk first, initial, primary ilknis tusk, fang
gbrelik/gbre dung/dunghill guba heap

uur ki that is good luck guris cucumber

kirba waterskin irbis pumpkin


10
Swannell, 1995, p.120.
11
Remember the story about the Kayan people that believe that the life started in the sacred wood.
20
kiraz cherry irsis cherry

baldiran hemlock baldrins

valerian
zel

special, particular

ozols oak
koan stem (of a vegetable) kacns head of cabbage
burkmak to wrench burkns carrot
elmek to amuse egle fir-tree
arpa barley vrpa spike
iek flower zieds flower
emen cumin imene cumin
ezmek/ezer melt/melting ezers lake
ak mn
12
white, clear, unspotted,
old
akmens stone
kk

root koks tree

yosun
moss sna moss
alkanmak/alkanti to be rough (sea)/wave
(sea)
alkoa roar (sea)

aarmak/gn
aariyor
to dawn/its growing light agrs/agri early
zip: zp diye suddenly zibens lightening
ayna mirror ainava landscape, scenery
duman haze, smoke dmaka/dmi

haze/smoke

gani

abundant, rich ganbas pasture-ground

gani/ganisi olmak abundant, rich gan/gan enough, thats enough
narin

delicate, slim

nra

water-nymph,
mermaid



The history testifies that the ancient inhabitants of the East Baltic region worshipped oak
growths where they believed the God of justice Prove was dwelling ( , I, 1995, 85).
The Latvian name of oak is ozols that corresponds to the Turkish word zl special. Some
special treatment of oaks (trees that are witnesses of the human history) on behalf of the Latvians
we can watch nowadays as well.


3.6. Abstract Things

The table contains Latvian words that correspond to Turkish root or stem morphemes. The words
meaning is also connected with the corresponding Turkish words.
Table 3
Turkish word Translation Latvian word Translation


12
Man/men is the Turkish root morpheme of compound wards indicating a person or a thing,

21
komak to run, to chase kos bright
sirma silver thread sirms grey (hair)
bayat/ bayatlamak not fresh, stale/to get
stale
bojt

spoil
dumur atrophy dumj stupid, silly

akli wall-eyed akls blind
katra drop katrs/katra every
i/iine interior, inner/inside iekiene the inside
ya yes

j yes

ara distance, gap, space r

outside
stne varmak oppress varmka/
varmcba
oppressor/oppression
varmak to dare vart can, to dare
sur fortune srs severe
ki who, that kas who, that
onu him viu him
sinmak/sindirmak to be defeated/to
defeat
ca struggle, fight
kavga quarrel

kauties to fight

bildirmek to inform bildint,
iebilda/piebilda
to propose,
objected/remarked, added
mihr ransom miers peace
manita swindle mnt to cheat, to deceive
yuk load, burden jgs yoke
vermek/vergi give/gift, tax vergs slave
patak/patai beating ptaga/ptagot whip, knout/to whip
dn yesterday diena day
devas gigantic, giant-like dievs god
yeni new jauns new, young
acemi aylak[tailak] beginner, an
inexperienced person
lis[ta:lis],
clis[tsa:lis]
guy,
chicken
dul/dulluk widow/widowhood dulls/dullums crazy, mad, foolish
kunt stout, solid kunda a stable buyer
lmak/algi take/wages alga wages

alak low, mean alkas/alkatgs

longing/greedy
saplamak to stick, thrust, pierce sps pain, ache

enebaz, kfrbaz talkative (ene jaw),
foul-mouthed (kfr-
a curse)
bzt to shove, to thrust, to poke
22
angal support, prop angals negl.nickname of a
Latgalian
sik dense, frequent sks tiny, small
tek

only, solely tikai

only, solely

yil/yillamak/yilmak/yili

year/to stay for a long
time/to bore/terror
ilgi

for a long time
mayi/mayimak

liquid, fluid/to grow
soft
maigs

soft
uzluk/uzman mastery/specialist uzmant to keep an eye on, to
watch
kakmak to push, to encrust kaka mksla swindle
danmak

to trust, to support, to
last
daina

Latvian folk song

teke shrimp, he-goat tect to go/run at small step
resim picture, drawing rast to draw
beste/bestekar,
namus/namuskar,
komak/kokar

melody/composer,
honor/honest,
to embrace/fighting
ram
krs having a weakness (for)
az few maz few


Latvian folksongs and fairy-tales contain lots of substratum lexis. The more ancient the
word is the more possible is to find out its Turkic roots.
Mei rca, mei ca,
Bites gja kumuriem.
In two lines of this Latvian folksong we find an unusual for the modern Latvian language
word kumuriem.
Having consulted the Turkish dictionary we find a Turkish word kme pile, heap,
mound, kme kme means in heaps/groups. Knowing that Turkish words birer one apiece,
ikier two at a time, er three apiece, etc. are created with the help of the affix er from the
numerals bir, iki, , etc. we can suppose that the word kumuriem was made with the help of
the affix er (-er > -ur) and the word meant in a group: km > kumuriem. The vowel in the
affix has changed according to the Turkic vowel harmony.
13


The reseacher Irek Bikkinin in his scientific work speaks about the most ancient English lexis
borrowed from the Turkic language. In the English language the old Turkic word tapor, for
example, was superseded by the Germanic axe. Its remarkable that this word was borrowed by
the Arabian, Persian and Russian languages and is used there nowadays as well. The word tapor
stems from the Turkic tapa to cut. In the Turkish language the word tapor was superseded by
the word balta. In the Tatar language the word remains in the form [tapagyt] meaning
chopper for vegetables
14

We can add that in the Turkish language there is the word tapa stopper that can be
connected with Turkic tapa to cut, exactly the same word with the same meaning tapa
stopper we find in the Latvian language. In the Turkish language there is also the word apa a

13
Synharmony of vowels: vowel sounds of affixes depend on vowel sounds of the stem; its a kind of progressive
assimilation

14
. www.karabakh doc. ( 13. 25.12.1998)// Tjurkizmy v
angliyskom yazyke www.karabakh doc.(Tatarskaya gazeta 13. 25.12.1998)

23
hoe, when in the Russian language there is the word [tapka] that also may be connected
with the Turkic tapa to cut.

4. Turkic Grammatical Rudiment in the Latvian language

Grammatical rudiment of the Turkic language that we find in the Latvian language, regularity
of it, possibility to reveal the Turkic roots of grammatical categories of the Latvian language
makes us think of the relationship of these languages.

4.1. Phonetics

The phonetic system of the Latvian language like the phonetic system of the Turkish
language is characterized by simple and clear articulation of sounds. As to the quality of the
sounds the phonetic system of the Latvian language doesnt differ much from the Turkish sound
system.
As the Latvian and the Turkish languages belong to different geographical zones we can
mark the following typical changes:
In the Latvian language the first syllable is stressed, when for people of the South
is more natural to stress the last syllable like it is in the Turkish language where
mainly the last syllable is stressed apparently because of the fast manner of
speaking.
In the Latvian language long vowels that are natural for the slow northern manner
of speaking have appeared.
It must be pointed out that the prolonged articulation of Latvian vowels helps to preserve
their clear sounding keeping them non-reduced.
Let us have a look at the phonetic changes that took place in the Latvian language due to
particularities of its phonetic system.
4.1.1. Changes in the System of Vowels
The phonetic system of both Turkish and Latvian languages doesnt contain reduced
vowels. For this reason we do not find great changes in Latvian vowels, though one can see the
following rearrangements:
The Turkish front sound [] has changed for the diphthong [ie], for the front vowel []:
dn > diena or the back sound [u]: gne uguns, drtmek > durt;
The Turkish front rounded sound [] has been changed for the diphthong [uo]: kk >
koks, zel > ozols and the middle row vowel []: bbr > bebris;
The Turkish vowel [1] was changed for [], [] as the place of articulation of the sounds
is almost the same: rizkini Rezekne, algi alga and for the sound |i|: sirma ~ sirms,
kipar ~ ipars;
The sound [i] has changed for [ie]: mihr > miers, iine > iekiene;
The sound [e] has been changed for [au]: yeni [jeni] > jauns[jauns], for [a]: keman >
kamanas, kedi > kae, for [i]: tek > tikai and for [ie]: devasa > dievs;
The back vowel [u] changed for the long back vowel []: duman > dmaka, dmi; sur >
srs; kuka > kka, us >si;
The sound [] has changed for the open vowel [9] that is close to the sound [a]: almak >
elki;
The back vowel [o] has been changed for the back vowel [u]: yom > jumis.

24
In one syllable words short vowels of the Turkish language became long: sur srs, ya
j, zil zle, sik sks, yuk jgs.

The formation of substratum lexis of the Latvian language was performed according to
vowel harmony that is characteristic of the Turkic language:
When vowels substitution takes place all vowels of the word change for the
vowels of another row: Turk. dokumak weave > Latv. deis a blanket;
We can see cases of ideal following the law of vowel harmony where even the
correction of the sound of the Turkish word is happening: Turk. keman a bow >
Latv. kamanas sledge.

There are words of substratum lexis where we can see the appearance of consonants at the
beginning of the words (see table 4).
Table 4
Turkish word Translation Latvian word Translation

t horse jt to ride a horse
arpa barley vrpa spike
az few maz few
ata father, ancestor tta father
onu him, her, it viu him, her, it
remek increase jra sea


4.1.2. Changes in the System of Consonants

The Turkish sound [d] has changed in the Latvian language into the sound [dz]: Turk.
civcivli [divdivli] Latv. dzve, Turk. cisim [disim] Latv. dzsla, into the sound
[zh]
15
: Turk. celal [delal] > Latv. lot, Turk. cebretmek [debretmek] > Latv. ebrklis
and into the sound [ts]: Turk. civelek [divelek] > Latv. cilvks [tsilvks].
Sometimes the Turkish sound [t] changes into []: Turk. iine > Latv. Iekiene, into z
: Turk. iek > Latv. zieds or [ts]: Turk. iek > zieds[ziets], Turk. amak > Latv. acs,
though it does not change before front vowels: Turk.amak >Latv. acs/aele[atele].
The voiceless consonant k in the end position was substituted for the voiced g: Turk.
yuk Latv.jgs, Turk.dik Latv. diegs. Sometimes such a change takes place at the
beginning of the word as well: Turk. kelle > Latv. galva.

4.2. Word Formation

4.2.1. A great deal of the words of substratum lexis is similar to the words that we find in
the Turkish language. They have similar sounding and the same or almost the same meaning (see
table 5).
Table 5
Turkish Latvian Turkish Latvian
tapa stopper tapa stopper ki who kas who
kedi cat kae pussy-cat ata father tta father
zemin ground zeme ground arpa barley vrpa spike
keman bow kamanas sledge meme breast, udder mamma mother

15
In this work the Latvian voiced consonant represented by is transcribed as[zh]. It has the corresponding
voiceless consonants [].
25
gani enough gana enough zel special ozols oak
yom good luck jumis symble of fertilty ya yes j yes
nam name nams house yeni new jauns new
vergi gift, tax vergs slave susuz dry sauss dry
patak/pata beating ptaga whip, knout sene year sens ancient
varmak to dare vart can, to dare civcivli lively dzve life
varis inheritor Varis (male name) civelek lively cilvks man
yl year ilgi for a long time zil bell zle titmouse
veli protector vei spirits of ancestors devasa gigant-like dievs god
koan stem of a veget. kacns head of a cabbage kk a root koks a tree
yaka collar jaka a coat iine incide iekiene the incide
kem malicious ms fool, fright alkant wave (sea) alkoa roar (sea)
budala foolish budlis masker lle curl lolot to cherish
dip/dibi bottom dibens bottom u this /is this
drtmek to prod durt to stab sla motherland sils pine forest
akl wall-eyed akls blind aya palm of the hand aijt to lull
ilk first ilkss shaft alg wage alga wage
srma silver thread sirms grey maya female stock animal mja home
ye preferable jga sense tek only tikai only
postal coarse boot pastala simple foot-wear

4.2.2. A great part of substratum lexis has been formed according to the structure-semantical
models that are functioning in the modern Turkish language. The meaning of the words depends
on the meaning of Turkic root or stem morphemes and word-forming affixes.
Turkish affixes that we find in substratum lexis are affixes (with their phonetic variants) that
are productive in the modern Turkish language: ki(-ki, -ku, -k, -gi, -gi,-gu,-g) , -li(-l, -li, -lu, -
l), -da (-ta, -de, -te), -n(-in, -in, -un, -n), -si, - i(-i, -u, -), -e(-a, -ye, -ya), ect. Combinations of
these affixes were widely used in forming substratum lexis. The same phenomenon we can
observe in the modern Turkish language.
The inner form of the words of the subsratum lexis is easily determined thanks to the affixes
of the Turkish language that have fixed meaning. n table 6 word-forming types of substratum
lexis of the Latvian language are shown.

Table 6
Turkish affix Meaning of Turkish
affix
Turkish motivating
word, its translation
Substratum lexis of
the Latvian language
ki I, ki(-k, -ku, -
k, -gi, -g,-gu,-g)
which, that zini place rich in water
dun low, lower
Oziki place name

dunka strike on the side
with a fist
-li(-l, -li, -lu, -l, -la, -
le)
with, together with,
by means of, by
meme breast, udder
sap a sheaf
cisim body
Mmele river name
Sable place name
dzsla vein

-n(-in, -in, -un, -n) affix of the genitive
case
ate fire
rya dream
Ataiene place name
Rjena place name

-si, - i(-i, -u, -) affix of the 3rd person tali secondary
subordinate
kken motherland
Talsi place name

Koknese place name
26
-d/-t/-de/-te

on, in da mountain

Dagda place name

-li(-l, -li, -lu, -l, -la, -
le)
+
-d/-t/-de/-te
with + in kama strengthened place
krm slaughter, cutting
(forest)
Kamalda place name
Krimulda place name

ci [i]/ci /cu /c/i
[ti]i/u/
af. used in forming
words for a man by
his occupation,
inclination,
connection
ayna mirror
rop females cloak
without sleeves
sunta fiberboard
Ainai place name
Ropai place name
Suntai place name
-ar/-er affix of present
participle
oymak/oyar [ojar]
scooping out, engraving,
carving
kipmak/kpar to
blink/blinking (ones eyes)
Ojrs male name
ipars doll, clown, baby

Words of the Turkish language are motivating for the words of substratum lexis of the Latvian
language.

4.2.3. In the Turkish language verbal nouns are formed by cutting or partial cutting the
affix of the infinitive:

lmek to measure l measure rtmek to cover rt roof
donatmak to equip donati equipment dlamak to twist, to wind dolam one turn of any
coiled thing

In the Latvian language we find the same model of forming nouns:

dzvot to live - dzve life dzirdt to hear dzirde ear, hearing
redzt to see - redze sight, eyesight makst to pay maksa pay, fee

Many nouns of substratum lexis were made according to this model that is shown in table 7.

Table 7
Turkish Latvian Turkish Latvian
sarmak to embrace sarma hoarfrost drmek to roll up dre fist
alkanmak to be
rough (sea)
alkoa roar (sea) dikmek to sew diegs a thread
varmak to have Varis (male name) akmak to flow aka a well
dokumak to wieve deis a blanket komak[komak] to
run
kos[kos] bright,
beautiful
kurmak to set up, to
form
Kurma (name of a
lake)
sinmak to test, to try
out
ca a fight
kurmak to set up, to
form, to establish
kurmis a mole duymak to feel, to
sense
dja dove,
pigeon
dayanmak to trust,
to support, to last
daina Latvian folk
song
kapamak to close kapi graveyard

eilmek to get down
to (a job)
Egils (male name) yanmak to burn Jnis (male name)
amak to open

acs an eye elemek to amuse egle fir-tree
27
remek encrease jra sea alinmak/alin to be
taken/the one that is
taken
alnis an elk
dmek to fall slikta da to feel
sick
sunmak to submit suns a dog
burmak to twist buras a sail

burkmak to twist burka a jar
aarmak to dawn agrs early kapamak to close kpa a dune


4.2.4. Nouns of substratum lexis were also derived from participles and past forms of
Turkish verbs:
Turk. asmak/asar to evade/evading Latv. asaris Zool.perch
Turk. asmak/ast to hang/hung Latv. aste tail
Turk. oymak/oyar to scoop out, to carve/scooping out/carving . Latv. Ojrs male
name
Turk. karmak/karp mix/have mixed Latv. karpa Zool. carp
Turk. boymak/boyar to paint/painting - Latv. bajrs boyar(d)
Turk. ezmek/ezer melt/melting - Latv. ezers lake
Turk. ipmak/kipar to blink/blinking (one`s eyes)` - Latv. ipars doll, clown, fig.
baby.

4.2.5. Origin of some words of substratum lexis can be understood with the help of
combinations of Turkish words:
Turk. stne varmak to suppress Latv. varmacba violence
Turk. kme kme in groups Latv. kumuriem in groups
Turk. lle lle curly - Latv. lelle doll
Turk. gn aariyor 'it`s dawning Latv. agri early
Turk. uur ki that is a good luck - Latv. guris cucumber
Turk. cin evil spirit, ters opposite Latv. dzintars amber

4.2.6. In some words of substratum lexis there are prefixes before Turkic roots. It
prevents spotting the words of substratum lexis as there are no prefixes in the Turkish language:
Tur. drmek to roll up Latv. piedurkne sleeve
Tur. zemmetmek to speak ill - Latv. pazemot to humble, to abase

4.2.7. In the Turkish language we can find nouns that explain the origin of some Latvian
verbs:
Turk. teke he-goat Latv. tect to trot
Turk. resim drawing Latv. rast to draw
Turk. vali/valide governor/mother Latv. valdt to govern, to rule

4.2.8. In the Latvian language we find names of plants that were created by translating
names of plants of the Turkish language:
Turk. unutmabeni forget-me-not (dont forget me!)' Latv. neaizmirstulte forget-me-
not, Russ. [nezabutka] forget-me-not;
Turk. horoz mantar chanterelle (cocks mushroom) Latv. gailente (little cock)
chanterelle Russ. chanterelle (little fox);
Turk. itburnu dog rose (dogs nose) Latv. suu roze dog-rose (dogs rose) Russ.
dog-rose

28
4.3. Morphology

Both morphology and syntax of the Latvian language as well as its phonetics and word-
forming contain rudiment of the Turkish grammar.

4.3.1. The forms of passive and reflexive verbs of the Turkish language are created with the
help of the affix -in/-n attached to the verb stems:
almak to take - alnmak to be taken
yikamak -yikanmak to wash oneself
In the Latvian language the affix -in is used in creating transitive verbs of intransitive ones:
degt to burn dedzint to burn smth.
augt to grow audzint to bring up
drebt to tremble drebint to shake

4.3.2. The Latvian demonstrative pronouns (fem.) this , is (masc.) this correspond
to the Turkish demonstrative pronoun u that, this.
4.3.3. The forms of the Latvian personal pronoun es I manis (gen.) me, man (dat.)
to me/me, mani (acc.) me concur with the forms of the Turkmen personal pronoun men I:
menin (gen.) my/mine', mena (dat.) me, meni (acc.) me.
4. 3.4. The form of the accusative case of the Latvian personal pronoun vi/via - viu
(third person singular) coinsides wit the Turkish form of the accusative case of the personal
prooun onu (third person singular). Its remarkable that there is one and the same form of
feminine and masculine gender in both languages:
onu (Turk.) viu (Latv.)
Turk: Onu taniyorum. I know him/her. - Latv.: Es viu pazstu. I know him/her.
The Russian dialect form of the personal pronoun in the accusative case [onu] (third
person, singular, both fem. and masc.) sounds precisely like the Turkish form.
4.3.5. The Latvian adverbs divat two together, trijat three togrther, etrat four
together and so on have been created of the Latvian cardinal numerals divi, trs, etri with
the help of the Turkish affix -ta, the affix of the locative case.
4.3.6. The Turkish affix -gen is used in forming adjectives of quality from verbal stems:
e.g. ekinmek to be timid ekingen timid
In the Latvian language the affix g performs the same function:
kautrties to be timid - kautrgs timid
baidties to be afraid bailgs easily frightened
smaidt to smile smaidgs smiling

4.3.7. The noun flections of the third person singular of the Latvian language -s, -is may
arise from the Turkish affix si that expresses belonging of an object or subject to the 3rd person
singular:
Turk. annesi his/her mother, babas his/her father Latv. ttis father, brlis brother

4.3.8. It is striking that verb forms incouraging action of both the Latvian and Turkish
languages have the same final sounds:
Turk. gidelim! Latv. brauksim! Lets go!
Turk. sevielim! - Latv. mlsim! Lets love!

4.3.9. The form of the 3-rd person both singular and plural forms of the Latvian verb bt
to be ir may derive from the ancient Turkish verb er- that has been preserved in the Turkish
affix -dir:
Turk.. Iyidir. Latv. Vi ir labs. He is nice.
29
Turk. Iimdir Latv. Tas ir mans darbs. This is my job.

4.3.10. Finel sounds of nouns of feminine gender -ija that we find in both Latvian and
Russian languages may spring from the Turkic affix of the third person -i and the Turkic affix of
-e hali -e/-a/-ye/-ya. The Turkish e hali indicates direction of an action: kara yel >*Karayeliya
- to the black wind.
4.3.11. The Latvian suffix -ul- used in forming nouns of adjective and verb stems
reminds us of the Turkish postposition ile/-le meaning with and expressing presence of a
quality named by the root. This model of word forming is productive both in the modern Turkish
and in the modern Latvian languages:
skaists skaistule beautiful beauty
smuks smukule pretty a pretty female person
bailes - bailule fear, fright a person that can be easily frightened
pkstt pkstule to squeak a squeaker, a whiner


4.4. Syntax

4.4.1. Both in the Turkish and Latvian languages nouns are widely used in the attributive
function, preceding the noun described. For example:
Turk. ocukluk arkadai Latv. brnbas draugs the friend of ones childhood
If a word has several nouns in the attributive function it can be difficult for a foreinger to
understand the meaning of such a word combination. This phenomenon is typical for both the
Latvian and Turkish languages.
Latv. pavasara beigu posms Turk. ilkbaharin sonun dnemi the last period of spring
4.4.2. Like in the Turkish language in the Latvian language there are sentences where the
subject of a sentence is not the subject of the participle clause of the sentence. Compare:
Latv. Mazgjot logu, uz paklja sabira grui. When I was cleaning the window some
rubbish fell on the carpet.
urk. Ate olmayan erden duman ikmaz. f there is no fire, there is no smoke either.
4.4.3. The place of the postposition of the Turkish language is after the word it refers to.
In the Latvian language there are prepositions that are placed after nouns like Turkish
postpositions:
Turk. benim iin - Latv. manis d for my own sake
Moreover, in the Latvian language there are so called adverbs which take place after
nominal parts of speech and require their usage in a certain case that is characteristic of
prepositions. As a rule such an adverb can be replaced with a preposition placed before the noun.
Compare:
Turk. arasi peine Latv. naudai paka (adv.) pc naudas (prep.) - for money (to get
money)
Turk. ormandan Latv. meam cauri (adv.) - caur meu (prep.) through the forest
Turk. dostlar arasnda Latv. draugu starp (adv.) - starp draugiem (prep.)
among/between friends
Prepositions of the Latvian language may arise from these adverbs.
4.4.4. Striking is the coincidence of verbal governing in the Turkish and Latvian
languages:
The Latvian kuzatvs (accusative) corresponds to the Turkish -i hali (accusative):
Turk. seni grmek Latv. tevi redzt to see you
We can see even the same final vowel -i in the pronouns of both languages.
We find Turkish and Latvian nouns that also end in similar final vowels. For example:
30
Turk.. yaray sarmak Latv. prsiet brci to bandage ones wound
In the Turkish language a direct object is usually placed before the noun when in Latvian it can
take position after or before the verb it is governed by:

n the Latvian language the dative case corresponds to the Turkish e hali (Turkish dative
case). For example:
Turk. Bu habere inanmam. Latv. ai ziai neticu I cant believe in this news.
4.4.5. In the Turkish language there is a postposition of joint action or tool for producing
action ile (-la, -le), meaning with, by. In the Latvian language the preposition ar has the same
meaning:
Turk. arabayla Latv. ar auto by car
Turk. akiiyla - Latv. ar nazi with a knife

4.4.6. The Latvian words sen long ago, sencis an ancestor are connected with the
Turkish word sene a year. The Latvian adjective sensens ancient is formed by doubling the
stem. In the Turkish language this word-forming model is used in creating adjectives of a high
degree of quality expressed by its stem: gzel gzel very beautiful, byuk byuk very big.

4.4.7. In the Latvian language after the verbs iet go on foot, braukt go (by)
expressing motion nouns indicating direction can be used in the lokative case. The phenomenon
must arise from the Turkish e hali, i.. Turkish dative case. Compare:
Turk. stambula gidelim! Lets go to Istanbul! Latv. Brauksim Rg! Lets go to Riga!

We have discussed a number of phenomena of the Latvian grammar testifying the initial
relationship of the Latvian and the Turkish languages, i.e. the formation of the Latvian language
on the basis of the Turkic language. More examples proving this hypothesis could be given.

5. Turkic Roots of the Russian Language

Speaking of Turkic substratum lexis in the Latvian language we couldnt escape comparing
it with the similar Russian lexis as both Latvian and Russian srarted to form approximately in the
same place and at the same time. In the next chapter we shall compare the substratum lexis of
these languages to understand better their relation to the Turkic language, the connection
between the Latvian and the Russian languages and their place in the formation of other East
European languages.
The author of the research didnt aim to make a scrupulous exploring of the Russian
language grammar to show the Turkic basis of the Russian language. In this chapter we shall just
trace the Turkic origin of suffixes of the Russian language that can serve as the brightest
evidence of the Turkic roots of the Russian language.
The famous saying that there is fifty per cent of Turkic blood in Russian people could sound
strange, but the knowledge of the Turkish language makes it possible to discover a surprising
thing: a great number of words of the Russian language have Turkic roots. For example, the
word [bagulnik] (name of a herb) has a corresponding word in the Turkish
language, the verb boulmak to suffocate (and its derivatives), and the herb really has a special
suffocative odour. The word [ujut] comfort rises from the Turkish verb uyutmak to put to
sleep, to soften.
The knowledge of the Turkish grammar allows to spot a countless number of words of the
Russian language having Turkic roots as we can clearly see the word-forming models of the
Turkish language that were used in forming vocabulary of the Russian language.
Turkic substratum lexis and Turkic grammar rudiment of the Russian language witness of a
long way of formation of the Russian language on the Turkic basis.

31

5.1. Turkic Word-Forming Models in the Russian Language

In the Turkish language word-forming affixes have distinct and permanent meaning. They
are widely used in Turkish word forming. For example, the affix ki (and its phonetic variants) is
intensively used in forming nouns of verbal stems:
smek to cut - keski coulter, chisel
basmak to press - bask a press
saymak to respect - sayg a respect
The meaning of the affix ki is that, the one that, i.. the one that is connected with the
action named by the verb stem. The Russian language takes Turkic verb stems and with the help
of the affix -ki forms its own lexis:

Turk. amak to lose (ones way) Russ. [aki] draughts
Turk. imek to swell, to get swollen - Russ. [ika] cone, bump
Turk. komak to chase - Russ. [koka] pussy-cat
Turk. susmak to keep scilent - Russ. [suslik] gopher, ground squirrel
16

Turk. koymak to put, to place - Russ. [kojka] bed'
Turk. kismak to lessen, to reduce` - Rus. [kusak] piece, bit
Turk. kaymak to slip, to slide- Russ. colloq. [kajuk] ruin, death, the end
Turk. kirmak to break` Russ. [kirka] pick-(axe)

As Turkish word forming models are clear and simple we can find lots of Russian words
made on this model, when the affix ki is attached to the Turkish word stem:
Table 8
Turkish Russian
ul haircloth [tulok] a stocking
lle 'a curl [lulka] cradle
yol a road [jolka] fir-tree
soba
17
chimney, stove [sobaka] a dog
verev diagonal [verovka] rope
e (peine gitmek to follow) the back, the
rear
[peka] pawn

The particle ki/k is widely used in the modern Russian colloquial speech, i.e. it stays popular
nowadays as well. As we can see from the examples below, the affix ki/-ka can be attached to
any part of speech:
- ? (The particle ki is attached to the verb)
- . (The particle ki is attached to the adverb)
In the modern Russian language we can observe the endless creation of new words with the
suffix ki, for example:
[spasibki] (inform. from thanks);
[rodnulka] (compare with the Turkish word benimki mine (about husband,
children) from benim my and ki that).
Russian children can easily make words attaching the affix ki/k to verbal stems, e.g.
[bojaka] (from the verb to be afraid of).
It should be noted that obviously the Russian affixes k, -ok, as well as the Russian particle -
ki, have sprung from the Turkic affix ki.

16
Turkish affix li with has also been used in formation of this word.
17
Turkish sobaki evdeki means all the family (those on the stove ledge and in the house)
32
In the Russian language there are lots of words created from probably the most ancient and
simple Turkic affixes and Turkic stem morphemes. For example, the Old Ruaasian word mleko
milk was derived from the Turkish meme breast and the affixes le with and ki that and
meant that oI the breast`: mleko *memeleki. The word |sudak| pike-perch may spring from
the Turkish stem morpheme su water and affixes -da in and ki that and meant that in the
water.

Turkic Roots of Russian Suffixes

Turk. -in Russ. - [-in]

In the Turkish language the affix -in is the affix of in hali, i.e. the genitive case:
sen you senin your/yours
annem mother annemin my mothers
In the Russian language is the suffix of the genitive case, too:
mother [mamin] mothers
father - [papin] fathers

Turk. ar(-r[1r]/-ir/-r/-ur/-r)[yr]/-r Russ. (-,-,-)/-()/-
()
[-ar/-ar/-jar/-jar/-1r /-1r/-ir/-ir]
18


The affix of the Turkish language ar serves for making participles of present-future
tense. Substantive participles have the meaning that or the one that constantly performs the
action named by the stem:
yazmak yazar to write writer
okumak okur to read reader
gelmek gelir to come income

In the Russian language the suffix (-,-,-)/-()/-() is widly used in
forming verbal nouns that name a person performing or that can perform the action called by the
stem:
[doit- dojar]to milk milkman/milker
[pahat- pahar] to plough ploughman
[pasti - past1r] to graze/pasture cattle shepherd/hurdsman
[vodit- povod1r] to lead a blind man guide
The great number of phonetic variants of this Russian suffix gives away its Turkic origin.


Turk. (-ya)/- (-ye) [-a/-ja/-e/-je] Russ. (-) [-a/-ja]

The affix a/-e serves for forming present participles from verb stems in the Turkish
language:
konumak konua to talk talking
akalamak akalaa to joke joking
In the Russian language we find exactly the same phenomenon, i.e. the formation of
present participles with the help of the affix a/-ja:
[sheptat- shepta]to whisper whispering
[kritat-krita]to shout shouting

18
In this work the soft variant of the Russian consonant is transcribed as [r].

33

Turk.-an Rus. [-an]

The affix an is used in forming presentfuture participles of verb stems in the Turkish
language. Substantive participles have the meaning something or somebody that performs an
action named by the stem:
kapmak kapan to seize trap
burmak buran to twist whirlwind
In the Russian language the suffix [-an] is used in forming nouns:
[smuta smutjan] trouble - trouble-maker
[intriga inrigan] intrigue schemer


Turk. cak/-ck/-cik/-cek/-cuk/-uk/-k/ik [-dak/- dyk/- dik/- dek/-duk/-tuk/-
tuk/- tik] Russ. /-/-/-/-/-/-/- [tok/-tek/-tik/-tuk/-ok/-ik/-
ek]

In the Russian language we find a number of diminutive suffixes that correspond to the
diminutive suffixes of the Turkish language. Compare the following Turkish and Russian
diminutive word forms:
kuzu kuzucak lamb lamby
kpek kpekcik dog doggy
gz gzcek eye little eye
ku kuuk bird birdy
In the Russian language we find the following examples:
drum drummy
station little station
landowner landowners little son

When a stem ends in k the regressive assimilation of sounds takes place:
sign badge
hook dim. form'
When a stem ends in [t] the confluence of sounds takes place:
key little key
ball dim. form
Both in the Turkish and Russian languages we find a great number of variants of this affix that
is explained by vowels harmony of the Turkish language.
In the Russian language there are suffixes with the sound [t] not with the sound [d] which is
not typical for the Russian language.

Turk. ci/-i/-cu/-u [-di/-ti/-du/-tu] Russ. , -/- [-tij/-ets/-lets]
19


In the Turkish language the affix ci with its phonetical variants is used in forming a noun
naming a person that produces an action:
nahir - nahirci herd of cows - herdsman
barut barutu gunpowder powdermaker'
The Old Russian word [zotij] an architect is the brightest example of creating
words according to this Turkish word-forming model:
[zd] clay > [zdtii] pot-maker

19
In this work the Russian consonant represented by is transcribed as [ts].
34
The suffix of a person perfoming an action is not a productive one in the modern
Russian language, though there is a number of old words containing this suffix:
[pevtij]a singer in a church choir, the one who helped the Russian tsar at the
dinner table, a person organizing performance of household duties at the tsar palace
(,1986, 9).
The Russian affixes -/- [-ets/lets] must have arisen from the Turkish affix ci. The
Russian affixes -/- [-ets/lets] are used in forming nouns naming persons which perform
actions expressed by the word stems. These suffixes are added to the verb stems as well:
[it - vets] to sew a tailor
[zhit zhilets] to live a lodger
[titat - ttets] to read a reader
The Russian suffix /- that also indicates a person performing an action probably
appeared some time later. It looks like a combination of the Turkish affixes ci/i and ki
that/which where the Turkish ci/i [d]/[t] was substituted by the Russian [t] that is
something in between the Turkish sounds [d] [t]:
[kamen
20
kamenstik] stone bricklayer
In the Russian language this suffix is used to produce nouns from verb stems as well, that
looks as if the Russian language uses the beloved Turkic suffixes as wide as it is possible:
[nakleit- naklejstik] to stick a person that sticks
[nabit- nabojstik] to heel a shoe a person who heels shoes
[sejat- sejalstik]
21
to sow sower (a person )

Turk. a [at] Russ. [at]

In the Turkish language the affix a is used for creating nouns naming instruments,
tools or means for performing actions by attaching it to verb stems:
saymak saya to count meter, counter
tikmak tika to cram, to jam stopper
The suffix [at] of the Russian language is used for creating nouns of the same meaning as
it is in Turkish. It also forms nouns denoting a person that performs an action that is expressed
by the stem. This suffix is a productive one in the modern Russian language:
[pugat-pugat]to frighten a toy that looks like a pistol
[rvat - rvat] to tear a greedy person that thinks only of personal profit
[tkat - tkat] to weave a weaver
In the Russian language the affix forms nouns from adjectives as well:
[bogat1j - bogat] rich a rich person
[lovkij - lovkat] quick to take advantage sharp fellow, a sharper
[siln1j -silat] strong a strong person

Turk.-ak Russ. //- [-ak/-ag/-jag]

In the Turkish language the affix forms nouns (from verb stems) indicating the place of
an action, the subject or object of an action:
siinmak siinak to take shelter shelter
umak - uak to fly a plane
korkmak - korkak to be afraid coward
The suffix - in the Russian language serves for forming nouns with the equivalent meaning:
[lezhat lezhak] to lie a plank bed

20
[n] and [m] are soft vareants of the Russian sounds [n] and [m].
21
[s] is the soft variant of the Russian sound [s].
35
[terpat - terpak] to scoop a scoop
The Russian suffix /- must be the voiced variant of the affix :
[brodit brodaga]
22
to wander wanderer
[rabotat rabotaga] to work hard working person
In the Russian language nouns with the suffix can be formed from adjectives as well:
[bedn1j bednak] poor a poor person
[holostoj holostak] single, bachelor bachelor


Turk. t [1t] - Rus. [ot]


The Turkish affix it is attached to a verb stem to form a noun:
yapmak yapt to make work (of art)
kalmak - kalt to remain inheritance
Probably the Russian word [kalitka] a wicket-gate has been created of the Turkish
verb kalmak with the help of the Turkish affixes it and ki and means that stays (in a necessary
position).
In the Russian language there is the affix [ot] that corresponds to the Turkish affix t:
- [grohotat grohot] to thunder thunder
[hohotat hohot] to laugh laughter

Turk. [t] Russ. (), () [-t/-it]

The affix of the Turkish language is used for creating nouns (from the verb stems) that
name a thing or a phenomenon:
kazanmak kazan to earn earnings
The Russian suffix ()[-t(a)] has the same function and sounds alike:
to give, to serve service
to manage to get, to gain prey
The Russian suffix ()[ist(e)] that sounds a little bit different though has the same
function and must have the same origin:
[igrat - igriste] to play folk amusement (games)
[pozorit - pozoriste] to put to shame shame

Turk. k[1k] Russ. (), () [-ih/-uh]

The affix ik of the Turkish language forms nouns indicating things or phenomena that
denote the result of an action named by a verb:
aksirmak aksirk to sneeze sneeze
In the Russian language there are corresponding affixes -(), -():
[umet - umiha] to make a noise fuss
[golodat goloduha] to starve famine

Turk. (-i/-u/-) [-1/-i/-u/ -y] Russ. [-1]


The Turkish affix i (-i/-u/-) forms (nouns of verbal stems) expressing a manner or a
mode of performing an action:
bakmak baki to look look

22
[d] is the soft variant of the Russian sound [d].
36
oturmak oturu to sit way of sitting
The Russian suffix forms nouns naming a phenomenon or a thing that is the result
of an action expressed by a verb stem:
[proigrat - proigp1] to lose (a game) loss
[vklad1vat - vklad1]to put (into) inset, supplement

5.3. Phonetic Correspondences

In the conclusion of this chapter we shall look at some phonetic similarities of the Russian
and Turkish languages that vividly show the relationship between these languages.
Almost all sounds of the Russian language have corresponding sounds in the Turkish
language. Moreover, thanks to the Turkish language it becomes clear why there are pair vowels
in the Russian language:
Turk. Russ.
u [u-y] [u-y]
i i [1-i] [1-i]
o [o -2] [o -2]
Both in the Turkish and Russian languages the specific sound [1] has sense distinguishing
meaning:
Turk. kir kir field dirt
Russ. bast countenance, face
The Turkish sound c[d] in substratum lexis of the Russian language has changed for the
sound [t] or the sound [zh]
23
:
Turk. civelek[divelek] lively, playful Russ. [telovek] man, human
Turk. civcivli [divdivli] lively, busy Russ. [zhizn] life
The sound [h] in the old Russian words [boh] god, [hospodi] (addressing the
God) as well as the sound [h] in some Russian dialects and also in the Belorussian and Ukrainian
languages corresponds to the Turkish sound [h].
The sound [ts] of the Russian language apparently arises from the Turkish sound [t].
Compare: iek flower. Nowadays there are dialects of the Russian language where
the sound [t ]of the modern Russian language is substituted with the sound [ts]:
[anglitane anglitsane] English people,
[pskovitane pskovitsane]the inhabitants of the city Pskov.
The Russian sound [t] could arise both from the Turkish sound [t] and the Turkish
sound [] that is much softer than the Russian sound [] and therefore reminds the Russian
sound [t].

So, we can make the conclusion that the great variety of the Russian suffixes is the
consequence of the fact that historically the Russian suffixes sprang from the numerous phonetic
variants of the Turkish affixes. The phenomenon of attaching a number of different affixes to the
word stem of the Turkish language gave birth to the Russian suffixes that appear to be
combinations of Turkish affixes. As we could see, not only simple affixes of the Turkish
language were used in word forming of the Russian language. Different combinations of Turkish
affixes that have sense in the Turkish language were transformed into suffixes of the Russian
language where they lost their original sense. Now they continue their existence as postfixes of
the Russian language.

23
In this work the Russian consonant represented by is transcribed as [zh]. It has corresponding voiceless
consonant [].

37
The links of these languages that we have observed make us think of the organic relation of
the Russian language to the Turkish language, of the possible way of its development on the
basis of the Turkic language.

6. Comparison of Substratum Lexis of the Latvian and the Russian Languages

There is a great number of substratum lexis of both the Latvian and Russian languages
arising from the Turkic language that makes it possible to compare this lexis.
Having been arranged in chronological order the lexis has split up in approximately six
groups: 1) earliest substratum lexis of the Latvian language, 2) early substratum lexis of the
Russian language, 3) similar substratum lexis of the Latvian and Russian languages, 4)
substratum lexis of the same meaning that sprang from different Turkic stems in the Latvian and
Russian languages, 5) substratum lexis of the Latvian language of the period of fixing the
territorial boundaries, 6) substratum lexis of the Russian language of the late period. Comparing
this lexis step by step gives us the opportunity of revealing connections between the Latvian and
the Russian languages and tracing the stages of their development on the Turkic basis.

6.1. Early Substratum Lexis of the Latvian language

The first group of the substratum lexis includes the earliest lexis of people who settled in the
East Baltics about eight thousand years ago. They are words naming ancestors, gods, symbols,
people names, objects and phenomena of the nature. There are words naming things connected
with human activities, such as harpoon, hoe, sledge, and the name of the animal, elk, that was the
main object of hunting in this region. There is also the word mja naming human dwelling. In
the Turkish language there are two words that could give birth to this Latvian word.
Table 9
urk. Latv. urk. Latv.
veli saint, protector vei spirits of dead
ancestors
gn day,
gne the sun
Guna (female name),
Gunrs(male name),
Gunta(female name),
uguns
gus(Latg.)
uruk/uru tribe,
clan
urgui [urguti]
spirits of dead
ancestors
ay the moon Ainrs(male name),
Aila (female name),
Aivars(male name),
Aigars(male name)
ilgi relation,
connection
ii spirits of dead
ancestors
yanmak/yan [] to
burn/burning
Jnis [ja:nis] (male
name)
el/almak hand/to
take
elki spirits of dead
ancestors
sarmak/sarma 1)to
embrace, 2)to captivate
Sarma(female name),
sarma hoarfrost
sene year sen/sens/sensens/
sencis long
ago/ancient/ very
old/ancestor
eilmek/eil to get
down(to a job)/getting
down (to a job)
Egils(male name)
us rison

si (pagan gods
name)
oymak/oyar [r] to
scoop out, to engrave, to
carve/scooping out,
engraving, carving
Ojrs(male name)
yom [jom] good
luck
jumis [jumis] the
symbol of fortility,
family luck
varmak /varis to
have/inheritor
Varis(male name)
38

maya [maa] 1)
origin, essence, 2)
female of a herd
animal
mja home zel special ozols oak
aya [aa] palm of a
hand
aijt [aijat] to lull cebretmek/cebren to
force/by force
ebrklis fish-spear,
harpoon
kapamak to cover kaplis a hoe kk root oks tree
dun low duncis dagger ilk first ilkss shaft, shill

If we compare this table with the table of Russian substratum lexis (see table 10) we wont
find there many words corresponding to the first substratum lexis of the Latvian language.
In the table of the earliest substratum lexis of the Latvian language we can find Latvian words
naming spirits of ancestors: elki, vei, urgui, ii, seni. We do not find these words among the
Russian early subsratum lexis. The only word of the Russian language (and also the Lithuanian
language) is the word Alka that corresponds to the Latvian word elk ancestor. Places for
sacrificing, usually high hills, Slavic and Lithuanian people called Alkas.
Latvian substratum lexis contains a great number of words arising from the Turkish words
calling the sun, the moon, nature phenomena, mans activities. In the Latvian language they
often serve for creating peoples names. This tradition that roots in the ancient past continue to
exist in the modern Latvian culture, too. The same tradition to name people after the sun, the
moon and other objects of nature stay alive in the Turkish culture as well.
In the Russian substratum lexis there are names Ivan and Uljan. The first name has arisen
from the Latvian name Jnis, the second name probably was created later from the Turkish
stems ulu great and yan fire.
The Russian pagan God Ivan was honored by Slavic people as much as the God Jan by pagan
ancestors of the Latvians, though the name Ivan appeared from the Latvian Jan, when the
Latvian Jan apparently is the verbal noun yan burning of the Turkish verb yanmak to burn.
In the group of early substratum lexis of the Russian language we do not find the name of the
early Latvian pagan God si that probably stems from the Turkish word us reason,
nevertheless, in the Russian language we find a phraseological unit to understand
and remember that could arise from the same Turkish stem much later.
The above-mentioned observations give us reasons to believe that this early substratum lexis of
the Latvian language refers to the period of the Stone Age when descendants of the first groups
of Mesolithic people, who settled on the territory of modern Latvia, had to give names to new
phenomena, things, objects, etc. they faced living on that new territory which was isolated from
the Turkic language which was developed in the southern regions where their ancestors had
come from.
The earliest lexis of the Latvian language based on the Turkic stems and naming ancestors,
gods, human names shows, beyond doubt, high spiritual culture of the tribes where the
forthcoming Latvian language started to be developed.


6.2. Early Substratum Lexis of the Russian Language

This group of substratum lexis contains words of the Latvian and Russian languages that
call nature phenomena, the world of animals, parts of human body, man actions and fruits of his
labour, abstract things, etc.
Here we can see substratum lexis of the Latvian language given in a comparison with
substratum lexis of the Russian language. See table 10.

Table 10
39
Turkish Translation Latvian Russian
meme breast, udder mamma mother [mama] mother
ata father tta [t{:ta] father [tata] father
ak, men white/grey, thing akmens stone [kamen] stone
ezmek/ezer melt/melting ezers lake [ozero] lake
remek to encrease jra sea [more] sea
sudan from water, by water dens water [voda] water
cin, ters evil spirit, opposite dzintars amber [jantar] amber
kiyiya to the coast kaija sea-gull [tajka] sea-gull
ilk first ilknis fang, tusk,
canine (tooth)
[klyk] fang, tusk,
canine (tooth)
elemek to amuse egle fir-tree [jel] fir-tree
amak to open acs/aele [ats/atele]
eye/little eye
o/ [oko/oti]
eye/eyes
asmak/asar to suspend, to skip, to
disappear
asaris perch

[okun] perch
kurmak

to set up, to form

kurmis mole

[krot] mole
kedi
cat kais/kae cat [kot] cat
asmak/asti to hang aste tail
[hvost] tail
darbe a hit darbs labour [trud] labour
susuz dry sauss dry c [suhoy] dry
el hand elkonis elbow [lokot] elbow
isitmak/isit to heat/heating istaba a room [izba] a house,a
hut
kumbara piggi bank kambaris larder,
pantry
[ambar] barn,
granary, storehouse
valide/vali mother/governor valdt to rule [vladet] to
have in ones property
yil/yillamak/yilm
ak

a year/to stay for a long
time/to get bored
ilgi for a long time

[dolgo] for a long
time


The Latvian substratum lexis is motivated by Turkish stem morphemes and word-forming
affixes. The Latvian words sound very similar to the Turkish stems they have sprung from. The
words of the Russian substratum lexis of this group have the same meaning that the Latvian
words have, though they sound different. We can watch replacement of syllables, changes of
vowels and consonants. That must testify that the substratum lexis of the Latvian language gave
birth to some part of the substratum lexis of the Russian language. This fact makes us think that
probably the forthcoming Russian language started its developing a little bit later than the
forthcoming Latvian language. It can also testify of the leading role of the tribes where the
forthcoming Latvian language was developed in comparison with the tribes that settled nearby.


6.3. Similar Substratum Lexis of the Latvian and the Russian Languages

40
Lexis of this group contains words that refer to a later time period when apparently contacts
between tribes became more regular. The pronunciation of these Latvian and Russian words is
very similar, and they name mostly the same things or close notions. See table 11.
Table 11
Turkish Latvian Russian
acili |adili] sad lot to pity, to be sorry (for) [zhalet] to pity, to be
sorry (for)
dn yesterday diena day [den] day
iek [titek] flower zieds flower [tsvetok] flower
avk [avk] colloq. light,
fire
saule the sun Bot. [tavel]
sorrel
li Geol.alluvium lnis tench, Liginii (place
name)
Zool. [lin] tench
alkanmak/alkanti|talkanti]
to wave/waving (sea)
alkoa[alkona] murmur of
the waves, rustle
[elest] rustle
duman mist, smoke dmaka haze, dmi smoke [tuman] mist,
[dym] smoke
postal combat boot pastala simple foot-wear [postol] simple foot-
wear
verev diagonal

virve rope

[verovka] rope

tirpan csythe`

cirpt [tsirpt] to cut [serp] sickle
gitmek to go, to leave iet to go [itti] to go
yemek/ye!
to eat/eat!
d eat! [je] eat!
tur/turta spin, circle/in a circle torte a cake [tort] a cake
drtmek to prod durt
to stab, to prick
[prodyravit]
to make a hole
dmek 1) to fall 2) to lose
ones health 3)to rush, to dash
da 1) slikta da[dua] to
feel sick 2)courage, bravery
[dua] sole
almak/alak [altak] to
take/low, mean
alkatgs greedy [altnyj] greedy
komak[komak] to run kos[kos] bright [roskonyj]
very beautiful
burtmak to make twist,
whirl
burt to practice magic [bortnik] the one
who collects wild bees
honey
manthing/person manta thing [manatki]
colloq.things
lle lle curly

lelle a doll,
lolot to cherish
[lel]
curly male folklore
character, [leleit] to
cherish
sur fate, lot srs bitter, harsh [surovyj] bitter,
harsh
patak/patai beating ptaga/ptagot whip/to whip [batok] a whip
civelek[divelek] lively cilvks [tsilve:ks] a man [telovek] a man
civciv [divdiv]/civcivli
[divdivli] chick/lively,
dzve life [zhizn] life
41
busy
cisim body dzsla vein [zhila] vein
mihr random, redemption miers peace [mir] peace
yuk[juk] load jugs yoke [igo] yoke
apamak to cover, to hide,
bury
kaps/kapi grave/graveyard

[kapite]
graveyard


6.4. Parallel Development of the Latvian and the Russian Languages on the Turkic
Basis

Lexis of this group witnesses that in the process of the development the Latvian and
Russian languages formed their lexis that named the same things using different Turkic roots and
stems. Such a phenomenon could take place on the territory where the Turkic language was
widely spread. Archaeologists have found lots of Neolithic settlements on the territory of modern
Latvia and nearby. Apparently newcomers from the East and South spoke not any other, but the
Turkic language.
The lexis of this group was created according to the word-forming models that we can see
in the Turkish language nowadays.
The words formed from the Turkish verbs kaimak to scratch and burmak twist, whirl
show the variety of words that derive from Turkic stems and affixes in both the Latvian and the
Russian language independently from one another.
Table 12
Turkish Latvian Turkish Russian
keman a bow

kamanas sledge sani dazed,
confused
[sanki] sledge

kaba large, but light kabata pocket

karmak/karma
to mix/mixed
[karman]
'pocket
sarmak to embrace

sarma hoarfrost

inmek to come
down
[inej] hoarfrost

su/sulu water/juicy sula juice

sikmak to squeeze,
to press

[sok] juice

kapamak
cover, hide, bury
kaplis a hoe

apa a hoe

[tapka] a hoe

sunmak submit suns a dog soba chimney,
stove
[sobaka] a
dog
zar membrane,
pellicle

zarnas intestines,
guts
ki a man

[kishki]
intestines, guts
apamak cover, hide,
bury
kpa duna dun 'low [duna] duna
amak open acs eye gz eye [glaz] eye
kaimak sctratch kais itch,
scabies
kastanis chestnut
[kaa]
porridge,
[kael] cough,
[katan]
chestnut
24


24
The Turkic affix tan makes us think that the word could have the meaning remedy against cough that is really
so.
42
burmak twist, whirl buras sail, burzt
'crumple, crinkle

reg. [burak]
beet, hist.
[burlak]
25
,
[burki] felt boots,
[bura] storm,
[burit] drill,
bore
ki who kas who' [kto] who
onu her/him viu her/him dial. [onu]/
[vinu]/[vonu]
her/him


6.5. Substratum Lexis of the Latvian Language of the Period of Demarcation

Late substratum lexis of both the Latvian and Russian languages testifies that the development
of these languages on the Turkic basis continued for a long of time, apparently several thousand
years. It could be possible if the Turkic language speakers didnt stop to arrive in this region
bringing new lexis of the Turkic language. The Turkic language had to be widely spread in this
region to make a rich basis for the developing Latvian and Russian languages.
The words of this group name abstract things and humans actions that are connected with the
later period of formation of the Latvian language.
We can see the words witnessing that these lexis belongs to people of a class society: slave,
violence, whip, battle, wage, etc.
We do not find corresponding lexis in the Russian language. It makes us think that this lexis
belongs to the period of fixing territorial boundaries of originating states.
Table 13
Turk. Latv. Turk. Latv.
resim drawing rast to draw stne varmak to
supress
varmacba
violence
dikmek to sew diegs thread, cotton yaka collar jaka blazer
k upper part of
smth., ut military
greatcoat
kapuce hood

drmek to roll up piedurkne sleeve
aplamak/kapl to
cover/
covered
kaplia family
vault
kme group, kme
kme in groups
kumuriem in
groups
at horse Ata! See you!, jt
ride a horse
gani enough gan,gana enough,
ganbas pasturage
dun low dunka nudge, poke narin slim, slender,
delicate
nra water-
nymph
sirma silver thread sirms grey, grizzled enebaz talkative,
kfrbaz
foulmouthed
bzt to shove, to
thrust, to poke
ayna mirror ainava landscape,
sea-scape
uzman expert,
specialist
uzmanba
attention
bayat/ bayatlamak
stale/to get stale
bojt spoil

dun low
duna low sound ,
dunt to drone, to
boom
dumur trophy dumj silly aarmak/gn aari to agrs/agri

25
Workers who twisted themselves in tow-ropes to carry ships against the current
43
dawn/at the break of
day
adj.early/
adv.early

i/iine [itine] n./adv.
inside
iekiene [iekiene]
n.
inside
yosun moss
sna moss
ya [ja] yes j yes burkmak to twist, to
wrench, to sprain
burkns carrot,
burka jar
ara distance, interval r outside saplamak to thrust, to
pierce
sps pain

kem evil, malicious ms fright, ghost akli person with a
wall-eye
akls blind

bildirmek to inform bildint/iebilda/
piebilda to propose/
objected/remarked
sik dense, frequent sks tiny, small,
fine
varmak to dare vart to dare tek one, single, only tikai only, solely
snmak to test, to try
out
ca struggle, fight tapa stopper tapa stopper
phe doubt poties to swing, to
sway
ilk first, initial ilkss shaft, thill
manita swindle mnt to deceive, to
cheat
mayi/mayimak
liquid, fluid/ sl.to get
drowsy
maigs soft, mild,
gentle
vergi tax, gift vrgs slave dul/dulluk widow,
widower/widowhood
dulls/dullums
crazy,
foolish/foolishness
dayanmak to be
based, to trust
daina Latvian folk-
song
kunt stout, solid' kunda regular
customer
yeni [eni] new jauns new, young algi wages alga wages
acemi aylak [tailak]
chick
lis[talis] sl.
fellow, boyfriend
almak to take alkas/alkatgs
thirst,
longing/greedy
kavga fight, quarrel kauties to fight


6.6. Substratum Lexis of the Russian Language of the Later Period

This group of words consists of Russian lexis originated from Turkic stems. The words do not
have parallel lexis in the Latvian language.
Here we find synonyms of earlier lexis ( an eye, father) that also
spring from Turkish stem morphemes. This phenomenon serves an evidence of a great duration
of the period of the Russian language formation on the Turkic basis.
Table 14
urk. Russ. urk. Russ.
kandil oil-lamp [kadilo]
censer, thurible
uyutmak [ujutmak] to
lull to sleep, to calm
[ujut]
comfort
macun [madun]
paste, putty
[maz] ointment iskemle chair, stool [skamja]
bench
bulanmak to be
dimmed, to be
stirred
[bulan1j]
Isabel, dun (horse)
pihti clot, coagulate [pahtat]
to churn
44
kapirdamak potter
about

[kapaitsa] potter
about
aba rude, vulgar,
common
[kabak]
pub
tkmak to thrust, to
stick
[t1kat] to
thrust, to stick
el bald, bare [kelja]
cell
konmak/konur to
stay for the
night/staying for the
night
[konura]
kennel, dog-house
elli colloq.
since, seeing that
[koli]
since, seeing
that
havlamak to bark [havkat] to
bark
rasgele yerde
haphazardly

[razgildaj]
colloq. slack,
careless person
hapsetmek/hapis to
imprison, to lock up/
prison
[hapat] colloq.
to grasp
durmak/durak
to stop/stop
[durak]
fool
kvrmak to curl, to
twist


[zakov1rist1j] colloq.
twisted, intricate
colloq.
[zakav1ka]
trick, slyness,
obstacle
kazan gain, profit,
earnings
[kazna]
money, property
hirilti wheeze [hrip] wheeze san title, fame [san] title,
fame
miyavlamak to
miaow
[maukat] to
miaow
halim/halim selim mild,
gentle/biddable

[padhalim]
toady, boot-
licker
khne dilapidated [dokonat]
colloq. dilapidate
toplama/vn. toplama
to collect, to
gather/gathering
[tolpa]
crowd
salak/salai colloq.
silly, simple-
hearted
. Zool. [salaka]
sprat, sl.
[salaga] young solder
gstermek to show, to
demonstrate
[gostit]
to stay (with)
tren ceremony,
ritual
[tron] throne ulu great [ulitsa]
street
amak [amak]
to be amazed, to
lose (ones way)
[aki]
draughts
sezmek/sezi to sense, to
feel/intuition

[osazanije]
sense of touch
komak [komak]
to chase
[koka] pussy-
cat
skmak to press [sok] juice
yazmak to write [jaz1k] tongue,
language
pimek [pimek] to
be cooked
[pita]
food,
[pet] to bake
ksmak to shorten [kusok] a piece boyamak/boyar to
dye/dyeing
[bojarin]
hist. Russian
nobleman
kaymak to slip, to
slide
. [kajuk] colloq
downfall, death
barnmak to take
refuge
hist.
[barin] Russian
landowner
45
kalmak/kalt to
remain, to be left
[kalitka] a
wicket-gate
ss ornament,
decoration,
ornamentation

[rassusolivat]
colloq. to tell
smth. mentioning
unnecessary
details
yel/yelli/yelloz
wind/fidgety/
hussy
colloq.
[jelozit] to crawl, to
fidget
yelik superiority [velikij]
great
amur[tamur]
mud, mire
[tamurla]
colloq. alcoholic
drinks
dolu/dolgun full
26

[nedolugij]
colloq. foolish
krmak to break [kirka] pick
(axe)
ayakkabi footwear [kabluk]
heel (of a shoe)
koymak to put, to
place
[kojka] a bed, a
hammock
patlamak to explode

[patl1]
colloq.
uncombed hair
soba stove [sobaka] a
dog
rk [turuk] rotten,
spoilt
[tirej] a
boil
dermek to gather, to
compile, derme
atma smth. made
in a hurry, badly
made thing
[dermo]
colloq. smth. bad, of a
bad quality, faeces
maraz 1) disease,
2)bad-tempered
[marazm]
debility,
marasmus
bozmak/bozdn to
be crazy
(about)/became
crazy
[bzd1n] colloq.
craziness
kavata large wooden
bowl
[kar1ta]
large wooden
bowl
loda pile [koloda] pack rmek to bark [urtat]
rumble
apa [tapa] a hoe [tapka] a hoe ei peine[pei peine]
one after another
[peka]
pawn,
[pekom] on
foot
duhul entrance [dulo] barrel,
muzzle
kl 'lazy, inert [kul]
colloq. lazy/inert
person
a [taa] epoch,
age
[taga] Bot.
fungus of a birch,
chaga
27

yemek to eat [jeda] meal,
food
ardak[tardak]
arbour, pergola,
hut
[terdak] attic


6.7. The Conclusions Based on the Comparative Analysis

The comparative analysis of the substratum lexis of the Latvian and Russian languages makes it
possible to formulate the following conclusions and suppositions:

26
- is the negative prefix of Russian adjectives.
27
Chaga is regarded to be a remedy for living a long life.
46
1. Both the Latvian and Russian languages arise and start developing on the basis of the
Turkic language of Mesolithic on the territory of the modern Baltics.
2. Substratum lexis of the Latvian language naming ancestors, pagan gods, humans names
testifies to a rich spiritual life of the groups of people (and later tribes) on the territory
where the Latvian language started to develop.
3. Probably owing to the law of uneven development of tribes, in the earliest period of its
formation the Latvian language was the leader, as in the earliest substratum lexis of the
Russian language we find the words that the developing Russian language borrowed
from the Latvian language.
4. The earliest substratum lexis of both the Latvian and Russian languages including such
words as water, sea, lake, sea-gull, mole, mist, fir-tree, etc. testifies to the
fact that both of the languages were developing in the same geographical zone.
5. Words of the Latvian and Russian languages that were formed from different Turkic
root/stem morphemes, though they name the same things, show that the process of the
development of the Latvian and Russian languages on the Turkic basis was long and
independent.
6. The words peace, yoke, beautiful, harsh, greedy, sickle, etc. speak about a
continuous contact of the Latvian and Russian languages.
7. Probably, other Baltic and Slavic languages appeared and developed not only on the
base of the Turkic language, but in a great degree, on the base of the Latvian and
Russian languages that started their forming earlier than other Baltic and Slavic
languages.
8. With the end of the warm Atlantic period archaeologists trace people moving from the
territories of East Europe to South Europe that apparently promoted the participation of
Baltic and Slavic languages in the formation of languages in other parts of Europe and
Asia. This could explain the connection of Baltic and Slavic languages with Sanskrit.
9. Apparently, the first language that arose on the base of the Turkish language in the East
Baltic region was the Latvian language. The Russian language followed it. On the basis
of the Turkish, Latvian and Russian languages sprang and developed other East
European languages, like Lithuanian, Latgalian, Belorussian, Polish, Ukrainian, etc.


7. Polyethnonyms Aesty, Slavy, Rusy
28
and Other Ethnonyms.

First historical descriptions of peoples show that tribes residing on the same territory, speaking
different languages and having different cultures and traditions got a common name, i.e.
polyethnonym. Tacitus in his work Germania names the people who settled on the east coast of
the Baltic Sea Aesty. As we know the ancient Turkic word ais is connected with the name of
the God Tangri. The polyethnonym Aesty may originate from the name of this Turkic God.
Tacitus compares cultures and traditions of the tribes called the Bastarny and Venedy
29
with
cultural traditions of the Sarmatians. The Sarmatians were Turkic tribes of the East Baltic region.
Apparently, being first or just more organized settlers of that terretoty they were paid homage by
incomers. The name Bastarny may arise from the Turkish verb bastirmak to suppress, to
surpass, to go unannounces.
The later names of East Baltic tribes Estony, Lettony contain the Turkic word n
indicating space before something. So, the word Estony could mean Esty and the lands around
them, Lettony Letty and the surrounding lands. Later the words Estonya and Lettonya
appeared. The ending of the names [ja] reminds us of the affix e(-ye)/-a(-ya) of the Turkish -
hali expressing direction of action. So the words Estonya , Lettonya could mean to go to
Esty or Letty.

28
Engl. Aesti, Slav, Rus.
29
Engl. Bastarnae, 'Veneti.
47
It may be that the name Slav appeared from the Turkish verb islemek to smoke than islev
could mean the one who smokes fish or meat for winter time and could refer to lots of tribes
living in the zone of cold.
There is a supposition that the word Rusy was used initially for naming representatives of
polyethnic trade expeditions, the participiants of which were northern people going to the East.
(, 2006). Then the name of the Belorussians could mean Swamp Rus (in the Lithuanian
language bala means puddle, pool). The name of the ethnos Prusy
30
could mean Experienced
Rus as in Turkish pir means aged experienced person, master, expert.
The origin of the word [bojare] boyar(d) could be connected with the Turkish verb
boyamak/boyar to paint, to dye, to colour/painting, dyeing, clouring. Works of historians say
that advanced ancient peoples had a tradition to paint their bodies and hair. Those people who
were less wealthy had less paint on their bodies, so painting was the symbol of wealth
(, 1999, 156).
The name of the ethnos Galindy
31
could arise from the Turkish word gali a kind of flat-
bottomed vessel. The name of the thnos Sudy
32
can arise from the Turkish word form suda ,
that means in the water.


Conclusion

The human history testifies that human culture was born in Asia.
The latest discoveries of scientists prove that in IV-III millenniums BC Turkic tribes bearing
different names were residents of Asia Minor.
Mans arrival on the coast of the Baltic Sea became possible after withdrawal of the last glacier.
At the end of IX millennium BC fishers and hunters left their imprints on the territory of modern
Latvia.
Mesolithic settlements and a burial-ground found on the territory of modern Latvia are dated
to VI millennium BC. In the Neolithic the number of settlements increases. Archaeological
investigations testify the continuity both in methods of making tools and in burial culture. The
unbroken succession witnesses that those people apparently had to speak one and the same
language.
In the chapter The Hypothesis of the Origin of East European Substratum we made a
suggestion that the language of first, Mesolithic, inhabitants on the territory of modern Latvia
was the language of people of high Neolithic culture of Asia Minor. If we imagine that the world
population spoke one and the same language that time, the language of people of Neolithic Asia
Minor having appered in the East Baltic region had to stand out for its rich vocabulary that
contained words naming new conceptions, phenomena and things. Having found itself on that
new, unpopulated territory and having lost its links with the places where it came from the
language gradually started to change. The new geographical environment required phonetic
changes as well. New words appeared and it was asked by the life. In new words formation
already familiar Turkic roots and word-forming affixes were used. New grammatical categories
and phenomena also arose on the basis of those that the Turkic language had.
In the chapter The Discovery of Turkic Substratum in the Latvian Language we showed
that the language that was developing on the territory of modern Latvia had Oghuz Turkic stem
morphemes and affixes. The phonetic and grammar structure of the modern Latvian language
preserves the rudiment of the basic language, i.e. the language on the basis of which the Latvian
language was developing till finally transformed into a new language that hasnt lost its
connection with the basis it was growing on. People developing the Latvian language were in no
way conspicious for their cult of knowledge inherited with the language, the knowledge of

30
Engl. Prussians.
31
Engl. Galindians.
32
Engl. Sudovians.
48
Astronomy and Astrology, nature and man, crafts and farming and so on and so forth. They
preserved the cult of pagan traditions, spiritualizing all that surrounded man. It helped the people
to stay alive and that is more they could better learn the things they had interest for and respect
to.
In the chapter Comparison of Substratum Lexis of the Latvian and Russian Languages we
showed the substratum lexis of the Latvian language that became lexis of the Russian language,
i.e. how it was adopted by people who came to the territory of the East Baltic region by their
own way and who apparently didnt have that knowledge and the vocabulary (though speaking
the same language) that first inhabitants of the territory of the modern Latvia had.
If we continue this research we will be able to trace how the Latvian and Russian languages,
in their turn, influenced forming of the neighbouring languages: Lithuanian, Polish, Belorussian.
It would be interesting to find out how and where Finno-Ugric languages that differ to a great
degree from one another arose and developed on the Turkic basis, to trace through the prism of
Turkic the development of German and Celtic languages and many other things.
The permanent presence of the Turkic language beside the developing languages of Europe is
testified by the later substratum lexis of the Latvian and Russian languages. We can suppose that
the Turkic language in its turn could borrow from the developing on its basis languages some of
their lexis. Perhaps, the Turkish verb irkilmek to be startled, to start` and ayirmak/ayrlmak to
to leave, to depart (-il affix of the Passive voice) have derived from the Latvian verb irt to
row. For the Turkish word trpan scythe we find the Latvian corresponding verb cirpt [tsirpt]
to shear, to clip. The Latvian words nags nail (of a horse), nagla nail (a metal spike)
(Turkish -la means with) and matching them Turkish word nal horseshoe also attract our
attention. Turkish words namuskar honest, bestekar composer, kokar a fighting ram
associate with the Latvian word krs having a weakness for.
But it could also happen that the Turkish language just has lost the initial root words of the
mentioned words when the Latvian language managed to preserve them.

Both the Latvian and Russian languages appeared on the basis of the Turkic language, and in
the first stage the development of the Latvian language overtook the development of the Russian
language. Thanks to the earliest substratum lexis of the Russian language we can watch how the
Russian language forms some of its early lexis on the base of Latvian.
With fortified settlements and then principalities the isolation of languages takes place, the
substratum lexis of the Latvian and Russian languages of later period testifies it. Both languages
continue to enrich their vocabulary and develop their grammar on the basis of Turkic, but they
do it separately, i.e. each one makes it in its own way.
As soon as Latvian is the brightest representative of Baltic languages and Russian, in its turn,
is the brigh representative of Slavic languages, the revealed Turkic substratum of these
languages makes it possible to speak about revealing of Turkic substratum of Baltic-Slavic
languages.
In ancient lexis of European languages researchers find lexical layers that are connected with
the Turkic language. In this work we mentioned an extract of an Internet article speaking about
Turkic lexis in the English language.
The connection of European languages with Turkic can be seen even when examining any of
them for the first time. For example, in the Dutch language we find the word taale language
which is close to the Turkish word dil language. In the Finnish language the word keel
language corresponds to the Turkish word kelime word.
Turkic grammatical rudiment in European languages witnesses of their initial relationship with
Turkic languages. For example, English verbal nouns ending in -er (worker, writer) remind us of
Turkish Present-Futur participles: eder doing, making, alr taking, yazar writing, etc.
Probably, in English such participles substantivised so that the suffix -er became the suffix of
nouns naming persons, animals or things producing an action expressed by the motivating stem.
49
The English adverbial suffix -ly [li] used in creating adverbs from adjectives apparently
springs from the Turkic affix -li meaning with that is used in Turkic word formation nowadays
as well. For example, from the Turkish word iki drink the word ikili intoxicated, licensed
to sell (serve) alcoholic drinks has been formed, from the word ev house - evli married,
having a house. English adverbs ending in ly that have been formed from adjectives also
express presence of a certain characteristic or quality: bright brightly with brightness, nice
nicely with beauty.
The final Lithuanian ai that we find in geographical names (e.g.Trakai, Druskininkai,
alininkai, etc.) could originate from the Turkic affix ay used in forming nouns of space (yan
side > yanay transverse section/cross-section). We find a great a number of Lithuanian
geographical names with another popular ending -ikiai [ik] (e.g. Akmenikiai, Apekikiai,
Dubinikiai, etc.) that reminds us of the Turkish affix ik [ik].
Apparently the Belorussian name of the feast of crops Kirmash springs from the Turkish
word kr a field (the vocal sound [1] of the Turkish affix mi has transformed into the sound
[]. Its remarcable that in the 1950-ies the word kirmash naming an agricultural market was
used by Russian peasants of Latgalia.
At the end of XX the beginning of XXI centuries the Latvian linguist A. Breidaks proved that
the Latgalian language is not a dialect of the Latvian language, but is a language that has had its
own way of development (Breidaks, 2002). Its notable that in Latgalian language we find the
word gus fire' that stands closer than the Latvian word uguns to the Turkish gn a day'.

Some scientists guess that Finno-Ugric languages appeared on the coast of the Baltic Sea not
earlier than the Late Neolithic. Finno-Ugric linguists approve the hypothesis that the ancestors of
the Sami people spoke non - Finno-Ugric languages ( , II, 1959,152 - 153). Comparing
substratum lexis of Latvian with the lexis of the modern Estonian language we find Estonian
words jumal God, maja house, sula a thaw, vara wealth. Theyve been obviously
originated of the same Turkic stem morphemes as the Latvian words Jumis, mja, sula,
Varis, and they sound very alike, though apparently they originated later than the
corresponding Latvian words.
Constructing Pro-Indo-European languages scientist came apon the problem of substratum
lexis. Having analysed the substratum lexis of the Latvian and the Russian languages we make a
conclusion that the Baltic substratum is nothing else, but the Turkic language which the Latvian
and the Russian languages originated from and were developing on. As the Latvian and the
Russian languages represent the group of Baltic-Slavic languages we can affirm that other
Baltic-Slavic languages sprang from the Turkic language, too, and have made their particular
way in developing into the particular languages we are having today.

Language researchers work cant be useless. Even the smallest discovery is a great input in
the way leading to the main purpose finding out the basic language, i.e. the mother tongue of
the most ancient languages of the humanity. Scientific research work is approaching the
humanity to the discovery of its first language that obviously was the only language of the
humanity for an extended period of time.



Abbreviations

acc. - accusative
adj. - adjective
adv. adveb
af. - affix
Bot. Botany
50
colloq. - colloquial
dat. - dative
dial. - dialect
dim - diminutive
Engl. - English
fem. feminine
fig. figurative(ly)
gen. genitive
Geol. - Geology
Gk. - Greek
Hist. History
hist. with historical reference
masc. masculine
N. - North
n. noun
prep. - preposition
reg. - regional
Russ. - Russian
sing. - singular
sl.- slang
smb. - somebody
smth. - something
Turk. Turkish
v.n. verbal noun
Zool. Zoology

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"Turkish_phonology"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki (2010.09. 03)
Holger Pedersen (linguist) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki (2010.22.03)
Turkish_grammar" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki (2009.11.08)
Latvian phonology http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki (2010.03.04)