Reconstruction:Proto-Muskogean/-ali

This Proto-Muskogean 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-Muskogean

Etymology

Possibly from first-person singular element *a-, compare the Southwestern first-person singular hortative *aka (< *a- + *ika).

Suffix

*-ali (series I marker)

the first-person singular actor suffix; I

Reconstruction notes

Martin and Munro (2005) depart from the reconstruction of Haas and of Booker to better account for the Creek form -ay-. Haas' reconstruction relies on a further unexplained *-ka, thus explaining the Creek form as deriving from *-ka-li. According to Martin and Munro there is no evidence for this *-ka in any of the Southern languages and Haas also does not offer an explanation for the loss of *k in Creek.

Alternative reconstructions

*-li (Booker, Haas)

Descendants

Creek: -i
Proto-Muskogean: (Southern) *-li
- Alabama: -li
- Choctaw: -li
- Chickasaw: -li
- Hitchiti: -li
- Koasati: -li
- Mikasuki: -li

References

Martin, Jack B., Munro, Pamela (2005) “Proto-Muskogean Morphology”, in Hardy, Heather kay and Scancarelli, Janine, editors, Native Languages of the Southeastern United States, Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, →ISBN, pages 299-320