Difficult etymologies and macrolinguistics — Slavic borъ ‘pinus’ AND SLaVIC šuma ‘silva’ (Scientific communication)

The process of Neolithization of (South-East) Europe expanded over several thousand years and was carried out by ethnically heterogeneous groups. In addition to the initial diffusion of cultural techniques, there followed extensive ethnic diffusions throughout Europe, which can be proved by applying methods of human genetics [Hervella et al. 2015: 2–3]. Several questions seem relevant with regard to new approaches used with the aim of solving difficult etymological problems arising in the previously mentioned region: Is it possible to identify certain ethnic groups as bearers of the Neolithic revolution, and does this provide evidence of the involvement of specific language families? Are there any unidentified cases of language contact in historical times to explain not-yet-clear etymologies? This short contribution advocates an extended perspective. The aim is to revitalize the discussion about unclear etymologies and to establish potential regularities. The Indo-European stratum is only one of Сложные этимологии и макролингвистическая перспектива 153 several important strata, which is useful while trying to solve difficult etymologies. Approved and tried approaches should be expanded and completed by supplementary components. We try to outline this on short sketches from the (South-)East European vocabulary with disputable etymology.