On Two Christian Terms in the North Caucasian Languages

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University, Yerevan

Abstract

The article discusses two religious Christian terms in the North Caucasian languages, primarily in Avar, having an obvious Armenian background, xač‘ (cross), and gьatIan. If the first ascends undeniably to Armenian xač‘, the second one defies a convincing interpretation. The author tries to trace its origin to a tentative Armenian protoform.

Keywords