Here's a breakdown of its linguistic journey:
* Sanskrit: "chapata" (चपटा): This word describes something flattened or spread out, which accurately reflects the shape of a chapati.
* Prakrit: "chapattā" (चपट्ठा): As Sanskrit evolved into Prakrit, the word became "chapattā."
* Hindi: "chapati" (चपाती): From Prakrit, the word transitioned to Hindi, where it took on the modern form "chapati."
* English: The word was borrowed into English through various colonial interactions with the Indian subcontinent.
So, while the exact origin of the word might be debated, its link to the Sanskrit word "chapata" is a strong indication of its Indian origins and connection to the process of flattening the dough.