Lexical items containing both the letters “q” and “j” are relatively uncommon in the English language. Typically, the letter “q” is followed by a “u” and then another vowel. Therefore, the presence of both “q” and “j” within a single word presents a unique orthographic characteristic. One example is the proper noun “Qajar,” referring to a dynasty that ruled Persia (Iran) from 1789 to 1925.
The scarcity of such words makes them noteworthy from a linguistic perspective. Their existence often points to loanwords, proper nouns, or neologisms. Understanding the etymology of these terms can provide insights into the evolution of the language and its interaction with other cultures. The Qajar dynasty example illustrates this connection, revealing a linguistic trace of a significant historical period. Studying unusual letter combinations helps broaden our understanding of language structure and its historical development.