Reconstruction:Proto-Yoruboid/là

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

Alternative forms

*rà

Etymology

Blench proposes that a Proto-Niger-Congo *-la root is widespread in Niger-Congo and in Nilo-Saharan, where the meaning is both buy and sell. A form with the /d/ consonant is widespread in most related languages, which is likely cognate with the term *tà (“to sell”), it is not clear if this form is related to "la."

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /là/

Verb

*là

(transitive) to buy; purchase

Descendants

Igala: là
Ifè: rà
Olukumi: rà
Yoruba: rà