Reconstruction:Proto-Japonic/sima

This Proto-Japonic 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-Japonic

Etymology

Possibly related to Baekje 斯麻 (*syema, “island”) and Middle Korean 셤 (syem).

May also be related to a cluster of verbs arising from root sim-, as in modern Japanese 閉める・閉まる (shimeru - shimaru, “to close, to close off [intransitive, transitive]”). Compare Latin insula and Latin insulatus.

Noun

*sima

1. island
2. land

Descendants

• Old Japanese: 島 (sima)
  • Japanese: 島 (shima)
• Proto-Ryukyuan: *sima (“island, land; community”)
  • Northern Ryukyuan: 시마 (/⁠si.ma⁠/) (Haytong Ceykwukki, 1501)
    • Kikai: 島 (shima)
    • Kunigami: 島 (shimā)
    • Northern Amami Ōshima: 島 (shima)
    • Okinawan: 島 (shima)
    • Okinoerabu: 島 (shima)
    • Southern Amami Ōshima: 島 (shima)
    • Tokunoshima: 島 (sïma)
    • Yoron: 島 (shima)
  • Southern Ryukyuan:
    • Miyako: 島 (sïma)
    • Yaeyama: 島 (sïma)
    • Yonaguni: 島 (chima)