Reconstruction:Proto-Japonic/namita

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 a compound with the first word being *nami (“wave”), in the sense that tears ripple when touching the ground. However, this is semantically problematic.

Alternatively, possibly a loanword from a Kra-Dai language; compare Thai น้ำตา (nám-dtaa, “tear”).[1] However, that connection presents other problems in semantics and syntax.

Noun

*namita

(product of crying) tear

Descendants

Old Japanese: 涙 (nami₁ta, nami₁da)
- Japanese: 涙 (namida)
Proto-Ryukyuan: *na(n)da
- Northern Ryukyuan:
  - Kikai: 涙 (nada)
  - Kunigami: 涙 (nadā)
  - Northern Amami-Oshima: 涙 (nada)
  - Okinawan: 涙 (nada)
  - Oki-No-Erabu: 涙 (mīnada)
  - Southern Amami-Oshima: 涙 (nada)
  - Toku-No-Shima: 涙 (nada)
  - Yoron: 涙 (nada)
- Southern Ryukyuan:
  - Miyako: 涙 (nada)
  - Yaeyama: 涙 (nada)
  - Yonaguni: 涙 (nuda)

References

2018, Alexander Vovin, "Proto-K(r)adai ‘hand’, ‘eye’, and ‘bird’ revisited", page 158

[1] 2018, Alexander Vovin, "Proto-K(r)adai ‘hand’, ‘eye’, and ‘bird’ revisited", page 158