Xiongnu

Did the Huns/Xiongnu speak a Yeniseic language???

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• published: 14 Nov 2014
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"what do people here think of the theory that the language of the Huns/Xiongnu could have been related to the dene-yeniseian language family?" A great question from VikingSkippen! This hypothesis is certainly fascinating. In fact, let's discuss this today! By "Huns", in the field of Eurasian studies we mean this in strict reference to the people who contributed to the fall of Rome in the 5th century--Attilla and co. It is certainly possible that Yeniseian speakers were among this confederation. The core language of this confederation, however, may well have been influenced by Satem IE languages, judging from the few words that were recorded. On the other hand, many proper names seem to have been Turkic or Para-Turkic. See http://www.kroraina.com/huns/mh/mh_6.html However, in popular parlance "Huns" can also refer to the pre-Mongol peoples, known formally as Xiongnu, who fought against Qin and Han-dynasty China. It is quite possible that there were Yeniseian speakers in their ranks. The "Dingling" Xiongnu tribe, for example, of Eastern Siberia may have represented an intermediate stage between Yeniseian and Na-Dene. Compare "Ding" with Ket de'ng "people" and "Ling" with Tlingit lhin "man": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dingling Another, even more interesting, possibility is that Yeniseic speakers may have even presided over a short-lived Chinese dynasty! The Later Zhao dynasty ruled most of northern China (as far south as the Yellow river, maybe even further) between 319-351. The emperors of this state were of the Jie ethnicity, which in Middle Chinese would've been something like [kiat] according to Pulleybank. Doesn't that sound like "Ket"? And yes, it was Pulleybank who suggested that the Huns may have spoken a Yeniseic language.