1. The term "Aryan" has a complex history:
* Original meaning: "Aryan" originally referred to a group of Indo-Iranian peoples who migrated from the steppes of Central Asia. This migration, though important, happened over a very long time, and likely involved multiple waves of people speaking various languages.
* Nazi misuse: The term "Aryan" was later misused by the Nazi regime to construct a racial ideology and justify their racist and genocidal policies. This misuse has made the term deeply problematic.
2. The Indo-European language family:
* Common ancestor: The languages spoken by these Indo-Iranian peoples were part of the Indo-European language family. This means they shared a common ancestor, often referred to as Proto-Indo-European.
* Diversification: Over time, the Proto-Indo-European language diverged into many branches, including the Indo-Iranian branch.
* Within the Indo-Iranian branch: Within this branch, further diversification led to the development of languages like Sanskrit (India), Avestan (ancient Persia), and many others.
3. No single "Aryan language":
It's incorrect to say that there was one "Aryan language." The term "Aryan" encompasses a diverse group of people who spoke various languages within the Indo-Iranian branch.
Instead of "Aryan language", it's more accurate to talk about:
* Proto-Indo-European: The common ancestor of the Indo-European languages.
* Indo-Iranian languages: The branch of the Indo-European family that includes languages spoken by the people historically referred to as "Aryans."
* Specific Indo-Iranian languages: Languages like Sanskrit, Avestan, and others that developed within the Indo-Iranian branch.
Important Note: Using the term "Aryan" without careful context is problematic due to its association with Nazi ideology. It's essential to be mindful of this history and to avoid using the term in ways that could be misconstrued.