Is Mango a loan word?

Yes, 'mango' is indeed a loan word in the English language, a fascinating example of how words travel across cultures and continents alongside the goods, ideas, and experiences they represent.

The Etymology of 'Mango'

The journey of the word 'mango' into English is a compelling linguistic adventure, originating from ancient South Indian languages before traversing through European colonial trade routes. Its adoption reflects centuries of global exchange.

A Linguistic Journey

The English word "mango" didn't originate within English itself. Instead, it was adopted from other languages, reflecting its historical cultivation and trade.

• Portuguese Influence: The word was first borrowed into English from the Portuguese term manga. Portuguese traders, among the first Europeans to engage extensively with Asia, played a crucial role in bringing both the fruit and its name to Europe and subsequently to the English-speaking world.
• South Asian Roots: The Portuguese term manga itself originated from Dravidian languages spoken in South India, specifically from Malayalam മാങ്ങ (māṅṅa) or Tamil மாங்காய் (māṅkāy). These languages are indigenous to the regions where mangoes are native and have been cultivated for millennia.
• Possible Malay Intermediary: There's also a possibility that the word traveled through Malay as mangga before reaching Portuguese, indicating the intricate network of trade and cultural exchange in Southeast Asia.
• Proto-Dravidian Origin: Ultimately, the linguistic lineage traces back to Proto-South Dravidian mām-kāy. This ancient compound literally means "unripe mango," formed from two distinct elements:
  • mām: referring to the "mango tree"
  • kāy: meaning "unripe fruit"

This deep etymological root highlights the fruit's long history and significance in its native lands.

Timeline of Adoption in English

The word "mango" found its way into English vocabulary during a period of significant global exploration and trade:

• 1580s: The term was first recorded as being used in English to refer to the fruit itself. This coincides with the peak of European exploration and the establishment of trade routes with India.
• 1670s: Approximately a century later, the word also began to be used specifically to denote the mango tree.

This progression shows a growing familiarity with both the fruit and the plant in the English-speaking world.

Why is 'Mango' a Loan Word?

A loan word, also known as a borrowing, is a word adopted from one language and incorporated into another without translation. 'Mango' fits this definition perfectly because its form and meaning were taken directly from other languages, rather than being created natively in English. This process is common when new concepts, objects, or foods are introduced from foreign cultures.

The journey of "mango" is summarized in the table below:

In conclusion, 'mango' is a quintessential example of a loan word, reflecting centuries of intercultural exchange and the global spread of flora and associated vocabulary.