Reconstruction:Proto-Cushitic/saz-

This Proto-Cushitic 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-Cushitic

Etymology

Perhaps related to terms for "six" in other Afroasiatic languages; Proto-Semitic *šidṯ-, Egyptian sjsw, Proto-Berber *săḍis, Hausa shidà.

Numeral

*saz- (variant *siz-)

three

Usage notes

This term becomes "four" in South and Central Cushitic languages. However, based on the medial -g- in Proto-South Cushitic *tsigaħa, the PSC term could be a merger of an original **sägya "four" (based on Agaw) + an East-Cushitic seddeħ "three"^[1].

Derived terms

*saz- + *-ħ
- *sazħ^[2]
  - Proto-East Cushitic: *sazVħ ~ sizVħ
    - Gawwada: ízzaħ
    - Tsamai: zeeħ
    - Somali: saddex
    - Garre: siddeh
    - Rendille: seyyeh
    - Saho: adox
    - Afar: sidóc
  - Proto-South Cushitic: *tsigaħa
    - Iraqw: tsiyáhh (“four”)
    - Burunge: cigahha
*saz- + *-t
- *sazt (“eight”)
  - Proto-Agaw: *säʒt-a > *säcta ("nine")
  - Oromo: saddeet (“eight”)
  - Somali: siddeed (“eight”)

Descendants

North Cushitic: *say > mhay from influence of other numerals?
- Beja: mhay, emháy, meháy, mehai^[3] (uncertain)
Proto-Agaw: *säʒ[ʒ]-a ("four")
- Blin: sajá (“four”)
- Awngi: ሴድዛ (sedza, “four”)
Proto-East Cushitic: *saz-
- Proto-Highland East Cushitic: *sas-
  - Kambaata: sás
  - Sidamo: sásse
  - Gedeo: sase
  - Libido: saso
  - Hadiyya: saso
- Oromoid:
  - Oromo: sadii
  - Orma: sadi
  - Khonso: sessaa, seesa, sessa?
- Proto-Omo-Tana: *seezz-
  - Maay: sede, seda
  - Jiiddu: seeye^[4]
  - Baiso: sedi
  - Arbore: seezzé
  - Daasanach: seddi

References

^ Mous, M., Rapald, C., & Sosal, A. (2022). The relevance of Cushitic for the linguistic history of East Africa. LUCL Colloquium, Leiden University.
^ *Ehret, Christopher (1987) “Proto-Cushitic Reconstruction”, in Sprache und Geschichte in Afrika, volume 8, pages 7–180
^ * Reinisch, Leo (1895) Wörterbuch der Beḍauye-Sprache‎^[1] (in German), Wien, Austria, page 272
^ Lamberti, M. (1981). Der Dialekt der Jiddu, Af-Jiddu. (p. 95).

[1] Mous, M., Rapald, C., & Sosal, A. (2022). The relevance of Cushitic for the linguistic history of East Africa. LUCL Colloquium, Leiden University.

[2] *Ehret, Christopher (1987) “Proto-Cushitic Reconstruction”, in Sprache und Geschichte in Afrika, volume 8, pages 7–180

[3] * Reinisch, Leo (1895) Wörterbuch der Beḍauye-Sprache‎^[1] (in German), Wien, Austria, page 272

[4] Lamberti, M. (1981). Der Dialekt der Jiddu, Af-Jiddu. (p. 95).

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