Aromanian and Romanian – A Lexical-Etymological Analysis Based on Translations of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The paper presents a comparative lexical-etymological analysis of Aromanian and Romanian based on translations of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. While Aromanian is traditionally classified as a dialect of Romanian, the analysis highlights significant lexical differences that have developed due to distinct historical, geopolitical, and socio-cultural influences. Romanian has been shaped by prolonged contact with Slavic languages, whereas Aromanian has been influenced primarily by Greek. The study examines Latin synonymy, and the role of borrowings, demonstrating that these languages have followed independent developmental paths despite their common Latin origin. The findings suggest that Aromanian functions as a distinct language contributing to the broader discussion on Balkan- Romance language classification.