Linguistic Mysteries of Ethnonyms in Inner Asia

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In Linguistic Mysteries of Ethnonyms in Inner Asia, Penglin Wang focuses on semantics as a central theme in onomastics and strives to unravel the origin and meaning of a series of influential ethnonyms such as Xianbei, Rouran, Taba, Tatar, Shiwei, Mongol, Merkid, Nzhen, Juen, and Nikan. Since much of modern research has dealt with issues of Inner Asian ethnonyms within a regional framework, Wangs exploration of the early Indo-European and Altaic influence on the ethnonymic designations of Mongol-Tungusic and Turkic groups opens up a new horizon for transcontinental approaches, which represent an important thrust in Inner Asian and Eurasian studies. Wang has based this comprehensive study on textual, cross-linguistic, and patterned analysis of the ethnonyms found primarily in ancient Chinese sources.

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For more than a quarter of a century, Penglin Wang has been mining the languages and cultures of Inner Asia for clues to the identities of the peoples who inhabit that vast region between East and West.Now, in Linguistic Mysteries of Ethnonyms in Inner Asia, he presents the fruits of his labors in remarkably detailed ethnolinguistic observations solidly grounded in historical research.The results comprise a truly impressive breadth of learning and acumen that will not fail to fascinate anyone with an interest in Eurasian history and languages. -- Victor H. Mair, University of Pennsylvania

Author Bio

Penglin Wang () is professor of anthropology and linguistics at Central Washington University.