Reconstruction:Proto-Ryukyuan/(o)matu

This Proto-Ryukyuan 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-Ryukyuan

Reconstruction

The Northern Amami Ōshima, Okinoerabu, and Tokunoshima forms suggest *umatu, but the Kikai, Okinawan, Southern Amami Ōshima, and Miyako forms suggest *omatu.

Etymology

The last two morae might be derived from *matu (“pine”), as they were used to make fire.

Pronunciation

• Tone class: C

Noun

*(o)matu

1. fire

   Synonym: *pi

Descendants

• Northern Ryukyuan:
  • Kikai: うまとぅ (umatu)
  • Northern Amami Ōshima: ’まつぃ ('matsï)
  • Okinawan: うまーつぃ (umātsi /⁠ùmàːtsì⁠/), うまつぃ (umatsi /⁠ùmàtsì⁠/)
  • Okinoerabu: まち (machi /⁠màtɕí⁠/)
  • Southern Amami Ōshima: うまㇳ (umat /⁠umaˑt̩⁠/)
  • Tokunoshima: っまつぃ゚ ('matsï /⁠mˀátsɨ̀⁠/)
  • Yoron: まち (machi /⁠mátɕí⁠/)
• Southern Ryukyuan:
  • Miyako: うまつぃ゚ (umatsɿ)