I thought it would be useful to write an explanation of what Homonara is, given that it is a term that I have invented due to my inability to find a suitable equivalent that already existed.
I wanted to find a simple word that communicated the following core beliefs:
As individuals we are more alike than we are different, irrespective of our backgrounds, ethnicities, beliefs or cultures.
As a human race we should consider ourselves to be part of one unified whole. This appeals to our need to belong, but also fosters respect and understanding for others.
When trying to find an appropriate word to encompass this I spent some time trying to find a word that already existed, but nothing seemed to quote fit. I eventually created a ‘placeholder word’ which I could use until I found a real alternative, but the word gradually began to gain meaning and feel natural as a word to describe a core belief in shared humanity and harmony.
The word has been created from the following words:
Homo – Meaning ‘same’ in Greek and ‘human’ in Latin
Nara – Meaning ‘human’ in several languages – especially those with roots in Sanskrit.
The word is therefore an attempt to communicate the concept that humans are fundamentally all the same. It felt appropriate to use root words from a variety of cultures and languages around the world as it helps to convey the concept of many cultures coming together as one.
I’m sure many could criticise the etymology of the word. I am not a professional linguist, just a person who wanted to find a word to express an idea. The importance lies in the concept, not the word, so I would appeal to you to focus on that. Words are just ways of communicating ideas after all.
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