Our Coptic language > ⲟⲩⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲥⲁϫⲓ (What is the meaning of?)

'The One' equiv. to the Greek 'to Hen'

(1/1)

John Davidson: [Edit]
Is there a Coptic word translated as 'The One' (equiv. to the Greek 'to Hen') that is found in a number of Nag Hammadi texts?

Or is it just part of an expression, such as "the one over there" or "the one who is wearing a green shirt"?

Sometimes it is the Greek Monas (Monad), which appears as a Greek loan-word, but often it appears as expressions such as: the “complete, perfect One”,  the “self-begotten perfect One”,  the “blessed and perfect One of the eternal and incomprehensible Father and the infinite Light”,  “the One who is, who is silent, the One who is from the beginning”,  “the One who truly exists”,  “the indivisible One and the One who is at rest”,  “the One who truly pre-exists”,  “the One who alone exists”,  and so forth.

See link for some examples with the Coptic text alongside:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9bf5atavkq4xsin/The%20One_Coptic.pdf?dl=0

Thanks

ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲩⲓ:
ⲛⲟϥⲣⲓ,

What about using `ⲛⲟⲩⲱⲧ?

In Sahidic, you could probably use something like ⲟⲩⲁ ⲛⲟⲩⲱⲧ 1 which should be ⲟⲩⲁⲓ `ⲛⲟⲩⲱⲧ when translated to Bohairic. Of course, don't forget to use a definite article ⲡ (in Sahidic) or ⲫ (in Bohairic) at the beginning.

ⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ,
ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲩⲓ

Admin:
From my side, I'd suggest ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲱⲧ

bashandy:
I would not look for Coptic alternative to Greek loanwords. The whole search for this emanated from Claudius Labib and others' attempting to 'purify' the language. I do not believe loanwords 'contaminate' a language they rather 'enrich' the language with shades of meanings that are difficult to convey.

If native Coptic language speakers used a Greek loanword, I would keep it, to maintain the fidelity to the language and its users, rather than assume knowing better than natives, or being more loyal than the King when it comes to Coptic language.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

Reply