Reconstruction:Proto-Yoruboid/ɛ̀-lɪ̃

This Proto-Yoruboid entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Yoruboid

Etymology

Like the root for three, see *ɛ̀-ta, this is one of the most stable forms across Atlantic-Congo. In Volta-Niger, see Fon ɛnɛ̀, Ewe ene. Also see Edo enẹn, Urhobo enẹ, and perhaps Igbo anọ. See Proto-Nupoid *ɛ̀-ɲi and or Proto-Nupoid *gi-niə, and Proto-Ebiroid *ɛ-na, Oko-Eni-Osayen ɛná, and Proto-Idomoid *ɛ̀-nɛ̀, and Ukaan náíí, perhaps this can be reconstructed to Proto-Volta-Niger *-ni or Proto-Volta-Niger *-nɛ̀.

In languages in the Volta-Congo branch, see Proto-Lower Cross River *ì-nìàŋ, Proto-Plateau *-nas, Proto-Plateau *-naŋ. In Gur, see Dagbani anahi, Proto-Oti-Volta *na:. Also see Akan ɛnan, and among Bantu languages, Proto-Bantu *-nàì. Proposed to be from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-nani or Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-ni (proposed by Westerman and Blench), ultimately from Proto-Niger-Congo *na(h)i as proposed by Pozdniakov, or Proto-Niger-Congo *-na as proposed by Güldemann. The root is also hypothesized to be the common root from which the form elephant also comes in many languages including Proto-Yoruboid, suggesting it being a doublet of Doublet of *é-lĩ. See Pozdniakov and Appendix:Proto-Niger-Congo numerals for more extensive data.

In most Niger-Congo languages, the term for eight is derived from the root for four, (usually a reduplication of the "four" root), however, like the rest of numbers from 1-10, Proto-Yoruboid has unique roots for each term (a unique innovation not seen in most families in Niger-Congo)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛ̀.lɪ̃̄/

Numeral

*ɛ̀-lɪ̃

1. four

Descendants

• Igala: ẹ̀lẹ
• Ede Nago: ɛrɪ̃
• Itsekiri: ẹrẹn
• Olukumi: ẹ̀rẹn
• Northwest Yoruba; Northeast Yoruba: ẹ̀rin
• Central Yoruba
  • Ekiti Yoruba: ẹẹ̀rịn, ẹ̀rịn
• Southeast Yoruba
  • Ondo Yoruba: ẹ̀nẹn
  • Owo Yoruba: ẹ̀rẹn

See also

• Previous number: *ɛ̀-ta
• Next number: *ɛ̀-lʊ̃́, *à-rʊ̃ã́