'Left' in Indo-European Languages...
Indo-European Language Tree
It has often been remarked that language can be a good indicator of the biases, beliefs, and environments of various cultures, and this pattern is often demonstrated in the words used to indicate both the left hand and the left in general. In both the widely spoken Indo-European language family and other languages, mental associations concerning the left side often began to spill over into linguistic connotations. Generally, although with a few notable exceptions, these associations were negative and were this idea was reflected in languages in various parts of the world.[1,3]
Before delving into the specific examples, it is important to establish why this linguistic connection with the left and negativity came about in the first place; theoretically, why wouldn't it be the right side instead? Although most language's roots are too deep and old to be completely investigated, the most commonly accepted hypothesis for this is that the dislike of the left stems from people's general hand preferences.[1] Because most people are right handed, it would be natural to associate the right hand with strength and trustworthiness, a connotation still visible in the English language today (for instance, a leader's 'right hand man'). The left hand on the other hand, being non-dominant for most people, would usually be smaller, weaker, and clumsier, and associations with this also began to creep into language.[1]
Strangely, although the Indo-European language seems to have had a common term for the word right-- usually hypothesized to be some form of 'deks', 'deksiteros,' or other similar forms[2]-- there seems to have been no one established term for the word left that reaches back that far. Although several words for left are obviously related (for instance, 'sinister' in Latin and 'sinistro' in Italian), if there ever was a word that reaches back to the 'mother language' of the Indo-European family it seems to have been lost.[2] What hasn't changed, however, is that the cultures using Indo-European languages seem to consider the left negatively without exception. Some examples are shown here:
Language Word for Left Connotations
Latin Sinister Ominous [1]
French Gauche Socially inept, awkward; root word for 'gawky' [1]
Russian Lievaia ruka (the left hand) Once used as an insult [1]
Portuguese Canhoto Weak, mischievous [3]
Romany Bongo Crooked, evil [3]
Before delving into the specific examples, it is important to establish why this linguistic connection with the left and negativity came about in the first place; theoretically, why wouldn't it be the right side instead? Although most language's roots are too deep and old to be completely investigated, the most commonly accepted hypothesis for this is that the dislike of the left stems from people's general hand preferences.[1] Because most people are right handed, it would be natural to associate the right hand with strength and trustworthiness, a connotation still visible in the English language today (for instance, a leader's 'right hand man'). The left hand on the other hand, being non-dominant for most people, would usually be smaller, weaker, and clumsier, and associations with this also began to creep into language.[1]
Strangely, although the Indo-European language seems to have had a common term for the word right-- usually hypothesized to be some form of 'deks', 'deksiteros,' or other similar forms[2]-- there seems to have been no one established term for the word left that reaches back that far. Although several words for left are obviously related (for instance, 'sinister' in Latin and 'sinistro' in Italian), if there ever was a word that reaches back to the 'mother language' of the Indo-European family it seems to have been lost.[2] What hasn't changed, however, is that the cultures using Indo-European languages seem to consider the left negatively without exception. Some examples are shown here:
Language Word for Left Connotations
Latin Sinister Ominous [1]
French Gauche Socially inept, awkward; root word for 'gawky' [1]
Russian Lievaia ruka (the left hand) Once used as an insult [1]
Portuguese Canhoto Weak, mischievous [3]
Romany Bongo Crooked, evil [3]
'Left' in Indo-European...
It has often been remarked that language can be a good indicator of the biases, beliefs, and environments of various cultures, and this pattern is often demonstrated in the words used to indicate both the left hand and the left in general. In both the widely spoken Indo-European language family and other languages, mental associations concerning the left side often began to spill over into linguistic connotations. Generally, although with a few notable exceptions, these associations were negative and were this idea was reflected in languages in various parts of the world.[1,3]
Before delving into the specific examples, it is important to establish why this linguistic connection with the left and negativity came about in the first place; theoretically, why wouldn't it be the right side instead? Although most language's roots are too deep and old to be completely investigated, the most commonly accepted hypothesis for this is that the dislike of the left stems from people's general hand preferences.[1] Because most people are right handed, it would be natural to associate the right hand with strength and trustworthiness, a connotation still visible in the English language today (for instance, a leader's 'right hand man'). The left hand on the other hand, being non-dominant for most people, would usually be smaller, weaker, and clumsier, and associations with this also began to creep into language.[1]
Strangely, although the Indo-European language seems to have had a common term for the word right-- usually hypothesized to be some form of 'deks', 'deksiteros,' or other similar forms[2]-- there seems to have been no one established term for the word left that reaches back that far. Although several words for left are obviously related (for instance, 'sinister' in Latin and 'sinistro' in Italian), if there ever was a word that reaches back to the 'mother language' of the Indo-European family it seems to have been lost.[2] What hasn't changed, however, is that the cultures using Indo-European languages seem to consider the left negatively without exception. Some examples are shown here:
Language Word for Left Connotations
Latin Sinister Ominous [1]
French Gauche Socially inept, awkward; root word for 'gawky' [1]
Russian Lievaia ruka (the left hand) Once used as an insult [1]
Portuguese Canhoto Weak, mischievous [3]
Romany Bongo Crooked, evil [3]
Before delving into the specific examples, it is important to establish why this linguistic connection with the left and negativity came about in the first place; theoretically, why wouldn't it be the right side instead? Although most language's roots are too deep and old to be completely investigated, the most commonly accepted hypothesis for this is that the dislike of the left stems from people's general hand preferences.[1] Because most people are right handed, it would be natural to associate the right hand with strength and trustworthiness, a connotation still visible in the English language today (for instance, a leader's 'right hand man'). The left hand on the other hand, being non-dominant for most people, would usually be smaller, weaker, and clumsier, and associations with this also began to creep into language.[1]
Strangely, although the Indo-European language seems to have had a common term for the word right-- usually hypothesized to be some form of 'deks', 'deksiteros,' or other similar forms[2]-- there seems to have been no one established term for the word left that reaches back that far. Although several words for left are obviously related (for instance, 'sinister' in Latin and 'sinistro' in Italian), if there ever was a word that reaches back to the 'mother language' of the Indo-European family it seems to have been lost.[2] What hasn't changed, however, is that the cultures using Indo-European languages seem to consider the left negatively without exception. Some examples are shown here:
Language Word for Left Connotations
Latin Sinister Ominous [1]
French Gauche Socially inept, awkward; root word for 'gawky' [1]
Russian Lievaia ruka (the left hand) Once used as an insult [1]
Portuguese Canhoto Weak, mischievous [3]
Romany Bongo Crooked, evil [3]
...In English...
Although mainstream, modern English seems to have no specific correlations between the words left or right and other connotations (the double meaning of right as correct and the opposite of left appears to be coincidental)[2], a linguistic prejudice shows itself both in the dialects of England and Scotland and in various phrases containing 'left handed.'
Dialectically, in some parts of Scotland, left handed is often called 'cacky handed' (cack being slang for excrement in that area)[1,2]. In other parts of the United Kingdom, 'left handed' has also been termed cork handed, cunny handed, flog fisted, back handed, cob handed, and ballock handed-- words with connotations ranging from simply clumsy or awkward, [1] to outright vulgar.[2]
In modern English, the old prejudice against the left hand can is also still shown in various different phrases: a left handed compliment immediately comes to mind. It was sometimes used to describe those belonging to different religions, such as when Irish Protestants used to dub Catholics 'left handers,' while Freemasons were once called 'left-handed bricklayers.'[2] Delving into more archaic phrases, a left handed opinion was a weak opinion, a left handed dream a nightmare, a left handed achievement an unimportant victory, and a left handed sugarbowl a chamber pot.[2] To gain something over the left shoulder was to gain it unfairly, while hearing something over the left shoulder meant that one had misunderstood.[2]
Dialectically, in some parts of Scotland, left handed is often called 'cacky handed' (cack being slang for excrement in that area)[1,2]. In other parts of the United Kingdom, 'left handed' has also been termed cork handed, cunny handed, flog fisted, back handed, cob handed, and ballock handed-- words with connotations ranging from simply clumsy or awkward, [1] to outright vulgar.[2]
In modern English, the old prejudice against the left hand can is also still shown in various different phrases: a left handed compliment immediately comes to mind. It was sometimes used to describe those belonging to different religions, such as when Irish Protestants used to dub Catholics 'left handers,' while Freemasons were once called 'left-handed bricklayers.'[2] Delving into more archaic phrases, a left handed opinion was a weak opinion, a left handed dream a nightmare, a left handed achievement an unimportant victory, and a left handed sugarbowl a chamber pot.[2] To gain something over the left shoulder was to gain it unfairly, while hearing something over the left shoulder meant that one had misunderstood.[2]
...And Across the Globe
Lloque Yupanqui
Many languages from families other than Indo-European also gave negative connotations to the left; from the Arabic language, in which the word for left also means 'awkward,'[1] to Chinese 'tsuo,' with the alternate definitions of 'counter' or 'opposed.'[1] Unsurprisingly, in cultures such as these, the use of the left hand is or was seen as suspect, and strange.[1,2]
In a few notable exceptions, however, the word for the left was either neutral in their meaning or even positive. In Japan, for instance, the word 'hidari,' (meaning left of course) translated to 'rising sun,' while right, or 'migiri,' meant 'sunset.'[1] The relation of left and right to east and west was due to the fact that in official court functions, it was customary for the Japanese emperor to face south, thus putting the rising sun on his left hand and the setting sun at his right.[1] Also interestingly, although the Japanese did practice the suppression of the left hand, it was also said that a left handed person might grow up to be a genius because he was different.[1]
Along with the neutrality of language given by the Japanese, the pre-Columbian Incans actually appear to have given the left hand a positive connotation in language. The name of one of their rulers, Lloque Yupanqui, was actually said to have two meanings: 'left handed' and 'one who will be renowned for pious action.'[1] And, following the pattern of the language reflecting cultural beliefs, left handed people were also considered to be lucky within Incan culture.[1]
In a few notable exceptions, however, the word for the left was either neutral in their meaning or even positive. In Japan, for instance, the word 'hidari,' (meaning left of course) translated to 'rising sun,' while right, or 'migiri,' meant 'sunset.'[1] The relation of left and right to east and west was due to the fact that in official court functions, it was customary for the Japanese emperor to face south, thus putting the rising sun on his left hand and the setting sun at his right.[1] Also interestingly, although the Japanese did practice the suppression of the left hand, it was also said that a left handed person might grow up to be a genius because he was different.[1]
Along with the neutrality of language given by the Japanese, the pre-Columbian Incans actually appear to have given the left hand a positive connotation in language. The name of one of their rulers, Lloque Yupanqui, was actually said to have two meanings: 'left handed' and 'one who will be renowned for pious action.'[1] And, following the pattern of the language reflecting cultural beliefs, left handed people were also considered to be lucky within Incan culture.[1]
Citations
- Wile, Ira. Handedness, Right and Left. Boston, MA: Lothrop, Lee, and Shepard Co., 1934. Print.
- McManus, I. Right Hand, Left Hand. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2002. Print.
- Barsley, Michael. Some of my Best Friends are Left-Handed People. Hollywood, CA: Wilshire Book Co., 1968. Print.
