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.

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.

*namita

1. (product of crying) tear

• Old Japanese: 涙 (nami₁ta, nami₁da)
  • Japanese: 涙 (namida)
• Proto-Ryukyuan: *na(n)da
  • Northern Ryukyuan:
    • Kikai: 涙 (nada)
    • Kunigami: 涙 (nadā)
    • Northern Amami Ōshima: 涙 (nada)
    • Okinawan: 涙 (nada)
    • ⇒ Okinoerabu: 目涙 (mīnada) (< *menada)
    • Southern Amami Ōshima: 涙 (nada)
    • Tokunoshima: 涙 (nada)
    • Yoron: 涙 (nada)
  • Southern Ryukyuan:
    • Miyako: 涙 (nada)
    • Yaeyama: 涙 (nada)
    • Yonaguni: 涙 (nuda)