Exploring Proto-Indo-European Animal Names and Their Evolution

proto-Indo-European, often abbreviated as PIE, is the reconstructed ancestor of the Indo-European language family. This ancient language provided insight into the types of animals that were significant to early Indo-European speakers. Its rich vocabulary, albeit reconstructed, contains many cognates that can be found in various descendant languages, highlighting the evolution of these words across different cultures.

Proto-Indo-European (PIE) Animal Names

The following list showcases several animal names reconstructed from Proto-Indo-European, providing a fascinating glimpse into the linguistic heritage of early speakers of this ancient language:

Common Animals

Capra (Goat)

PIE: kapro Greek: k?ros

Canis (Dog)

PIE: ?anis Greek: kyōn

Ursus (Bear)

PIE: ?urts Greek: árktos

Lupus (Wolf)

PIE: luktós Greek: lykós

Equus (Horse)

PIE: ?ews Greek: hippos

Mas (Rat)

PIE: ?mās Greek: hyōs

Sus (Pig)

PIE: su?s Greek: hyos

Rare and Less Common Animals

The list below includes some less common animal names, indicating the diverse range of animals that early Indo-European speakers might have encountered:

Beu- (Owl)

PIE: bew

Bey- (Bee)

PIE: bēy

BuHgos- (Goat)

PIE: buHgyós

Du- (Fish)

PIE: duw Note: This term is only attested in East Indic languages

Gerh- (Crane)

PIE: g?r??

Gaydos (Goat)

PIE: g?.ecus

Galōw- (Tortoise)

PIE: g?élāw

Gws (Cattle)

PIE: g?ows

Ehns- (Goose)

PIE: yehnéns

R (Hedgehog)

PIE: h??r Note: From Pre-Proto-Indo-European

Oryos (Pig)

PIE: h?óryós

Heis (Hedgehog)

PIE: h?éys

Héwos (Horse)

PIE: h??wos

Hel- (Deer-Elk)

PIE: h?él"

Hepero- (Boar)

PIE: h?epos

Her- (Goat)

PIE: h?er- (Not directly attested)

Less Common Animal Names

Hógis (Snake Lizard)

PIE: h?óg?iós

Hegnós (Lamb)

PIE: h?eg?nós

He- (Plow Animal)

PIE: h?ey-

Heós (Goat, Male)

PIE: h?éwos

Héngis (Snake Eel)

PIE: h?é??is

Hénhts (Duck)

PIE: h?énhts

Héwis (Bird)

PIE: h?ewis

Hówis (Sheep)

PIE: h????

Hérō (Eagle)

PIE: h?erós

Kápros (Goat, Male)

PIE: kákros

Krmis (Grub)

PIE: h??rms

Orh- ~ Oro- (Crow)

PIE: h?orós (verb root)

Rhwós (Deer Stag)

PIE: h?rewós Note: From Pre-Proto-Indo-European

W (Dog)

PIE: h?w??wos Note: From Pre-Proto-Indo-European

Wóns (Dog)

PIE: h?wéns Note: From Pre-Proto-Indo-European

Laks- (Salmon)

PIE: h???s

Lehp- (Cow)

PIE: h??lp?

Léwks (Lynx)

PIE: h?lew?s

LuH- (Louse)

PIE: h?l?wh?

Marko- (Horse)

PIE: h?néh?ros

Morwi- (Ant)

PIE: mx?er

Mu- ~ Mew- (Fly)

PIE: h?meyeh? (verb root)

Múhs (Mouse)

PIE: h?méh?s

NeHtr- (Snake)

PIE: nhet-r

Peys- (Fish)

PIE: h?pêw-yós Note: Only attested in West Indic languages

Plúsis (Not Directly Attested)

PIE: h?pleuth-s

Plows- (Not Directly Attested)

PIE: h?plóws

Pusl- (Not Directly Attested)

PIE: h?puH-l

Psul- (Not Directly Attested)

PIE: h?póul-s

Blus- (Flea)

PIE: h?b?léus

Póros (Piglet)

PIE: h?póros

Sperg- (Not Directly Attested)

PIE: h?sp?r?

Speyk- (Woodpecker, Magpie)

PIE: h?spr?yek

Stáwros (Bison)

PIE: h?st?rows

SuH- (Pig)

PIE: h?sw?k

Teter- (Grouse)

PIE: h?*t?r

Trosdos (Thrush)

PIE: h?trew-dhós

Udr- (Otter)

PIE: h?udr-

Uksn (Bull)

PIE: h?uk?sn?

Waylos (Wolf)

PIE: h?w??wolós

Wer- (Ram)

PIE: h?wéh?r (Not directly attested)

Wewer- (Squirrel)

PIE: h?wew?r

Wlpeh- (Fox)

PIE: h?w??b?éh?

Wkos (Wolf)

PIE: h?w?sf

Wobs- (Wasp)

PIE: h?wend?b?s

Worn- (Raven)

PIE: h?wérn

Wrmis (Worm)

PIE: h?werp-mi?ús

Conclusion

The reconstructed animal names in Proto-Indo-European provide a fascinating window into the cultural and linguistic heritage of early speakers of this ancient language. By studying these words and their cognates in modern languages, scholars can gain valuable insight into the natural environment and the lives of early Indo-European peoples. The evolution of these words over time is a testament to the dynamic nature of language and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances and environments.