Hindi: सलीब

[Rainbowlight]

Hello,

First of all, I would like to apologize for not being able to speak your beautiful language.

I would like to know if the word सलीब has any kind of primal root (S-L-B, to my understanding, when the word is romanized) and if there are other similar words in Hindi that share that same sequence of sounds, even if they are not apparently linked to faith or religion.

Also, I am curious as if the word सलीब is used when referring to Christians.

Thank you very much,

Rainbowlight

 

[Alfaaz]

The word सलीब - صليب is from Arabic and there are multiple words from the same root (صلب - SLB) in Urdu.

• Platts Urdu Dictionary - here
• Arabic Almanac - here

A صليب ṣalīb (v.n. fr. صلب 'to be hard'; 'to crucify'), adj. Hard, firm, rigid, stiff; hardy, strong; — three-cornered; cross-shaped; — s.m. A cross, crucifix ...

 

[Alfaaz]

Regarding the religious and cultural usage:

Saliib is used in a manner similar to cross in English.

• It is used in translations of the Bible (and therefore by Christians).
• In addition, the root appears in the Quran with reference to عیسیٰ عليه السلام - Jesus peace be upon him (and therefore makes it significant in Islamic contexts as well).
• Due to the aforementioned references, it is often used as a symbol in Urdu literature (especially poetry), just as cross is often used as a symbol in English literature.

 

[Rainbowlight]

thanks

The word सलीब - صليب is from Arabic and there are multiple words from the same root (صلب - SLB) in Urdu.

• Platts Urdu Dictionary - here
• Arabic Almanac - here

Thanks for your help. I was trying to find some common ground between Latin or European terms and the ones that can be found in Hindi. I fail to see the connection between hardness or firmness and the act of being crucified. The concept of suspension, however, seems much closer when both concepts (crucifixion and suspension) are compared. Could you please tell me if there are any words in Hindi for "crossing", 'traversing", "cross" (as in a mere symbol where two opposite lines converge) or "deletion" (as in the erasure of a word or mark with an X sign) that can be placed in the same S-L-B pattern?

Also, could you please tell me if Christians are referred to in Hindi as Salib?

Thank you so much for your patience and help.

Rainbow light

 

[Alfaaz]

I fail to see the connection between hardness or firmness and the act of being crucified.

The Arabic forum or forum members here with greater knowledge of Arabic could provide more detailed information, but there are two roots SLB. One has the meanings related to hardness, etc., while the other carries meanings related to to crucify, to make the sign of the cross; to fold; etc. (end of page 608 and continuing on 609 in Hans Wehr).

Also, could you please tell me if Christians are referred to in Hindi as Salib?

I don't think Christians are referred to as Saleeb in Urdu or Hindi, since that just means cross.

• The adjectival form صلیبی - Saliibii is used with the words حروب - Huruub or جنگیں - jangeN (meaning wars) to refer to the crusades.

Relevant thread: Urdu: Russian Orthodoxy/Russian Orthodox Church

• Muslims usually use the word 3iisaa'ii - عیسائی, while Christians usually prefer the word مسیحی - masiiHii for Christian.
• There are other words as well, such as نصرانی - naSraanii (plural: نصاریٰ - naSaaraa), and 3iisawii - عیسوی.

Note: All of the information above was given from the perspective of Urdu. Hindi speaking forum members could hopefully add to what has been mentioned above, if there are any differences in Hindi in terms of the words used, etc.