Religious Terms in Classical Armenian Based on the Book 'Refutation of the Sects' by Yeznik Koghbatsi.

Abstract

The Refutation of the Sects by Yeznik Koghbatsi, a famous creation of Armenian literature from the 5th century, is distinguished not only by its original content but also by its linguistic qualities. In this study, we analyzed the words and phrases related to the semantic group ‘religion and beliefs’ from four book chapters, identifying their word-building, etymological, and semantic features. The semantic field of religious words is closely interconnected with units from lexical, thematic groups such as ‘rights,’ ‘people and social relations,’ and ‘nature and natural phenomena.’ The examination of the semantic field of religion and beliefs in Yeznik’s Refutation of the Sects reveals a fascinating phenomenon: semantic transfers. These shifts, driven by evolving mentalities, involve both broadening and narrowing of meaning. For instance, words initially rooted in religious concepts might gradually lose their specific theological weight, becoming more general in usage. Conversely, terms originally associated with everyday life can acquire profound religious significance within the context of faith and belief. This dynamic interplay underscores the fluid and evolving nature of language and its close relationship to the evolving worldview of its speakers. It is noteworthy that Classical Armenian boasted a rich vocabulary of religion and belief. These terms constituted a core part of everyday language, reflecting the profound influence of religious thought on all aspects of life in those centuries, where the earthly and the heavenly were inextricably intertwined.