Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-Iranian/ȷ́iȷ́ʰwáH

This Proto-Indo-Iranian 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.

Doubtfully from Proto-Indo-European *dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s > *dn̥ȷ́ʰwáHs > *diȷ́ʰwáHs > *ȷ́iȷ́ʰwáHs > *ȷ́iȷ́ʰwáH.

Another hypothesis, that is more phonologically sound, is from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰi-ǵʰwH-eh₂, a reduplicated noun from *ǵʰewH- (“to invoke”) (whence Proto-Indo-Iranian *ȷ́ʰuHáyati).^[1] As described by Grassmann's law, in PII the initial consonant loses its aspiration due to the next one being aspirated. Avestan displays dissimilation from an earlier *zizuuā. Reduplicated nouns in PIE are also not unprecedented; note the very common *kʷékʷlos (“wheel”). However, Nuristani evidence points to an earlier preform *diȷ́ʰwáH, which may point to the original Proto-Indo-European word albeit with some remodeling. A similar shift from *diǵʰ- to jih- in Sanskrit is exhibited by जिह्म (jihmá).

*ȷ́iȷ́ʰwáH f

1. tongue

• Proto-Indo-Aryan: *ȷ́iźʰwáH
  • Sanskrit: जिह्वा (jihvā́), जुहू (juhū́) (see there for further descendants)
• Proto-Iranian: *hižwáH (see there for further descendants)
• Proto-Nuristani: (< *diȷ́ʰwáH)
  • Northern Nuristani:
    • Kamkata-viri:

      Kamviri: dić

      Kativiri: diz

    • Prasuni:

      Pashki: luzuk

  • Southern Nuristani: *źyū (< *jidukā via metathesis from *diȷ́ʰwáH?)
    • Ashkun: žū