Reconstruction:Proto-Yoruboid/ɛ̀-lɪ̃

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.

Like the root for three, see *ɛ̀-ta, this is one of the most stable forms across Atlantic-Congo. In Volta-Niger, see Fon ɛnɛ̀, Ewe ene. Also see Edo enẹn, Urhobo enẹ, and perhaps Igbo anọ. See Proto-Nupoid *ɛ̀-ɲi and or Proto-Nupoid *gi-niə, and Proto-Ebiroid *ɛ-na, Oko-Eni-Osayen ɛná, and Proto-Idomoid *ɛ̀-nɛ̀, and Ukaan náíí, perhaps this can be reconstructed to Proto-Volta-Niger *-ni or Proto-Volta-Niger *-nɛ̀.

In languages in the Volta-Congo branch, see Proto-Lower Cross River *ì-nìàŋ, Proto-Plateau *-nas, Proto-Plateau *-naŋ. In Gur, see Dagbani anahi, Proto-Oti-Volta *na:. Also see Akan ɛnan, and among Bantu languages, Proto-Bantu *-nàì. Proposed to be from Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-nani or Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-ni (proposed by Westerman and Blench), ultimately from Proto-Niger-Congo *na(h)i as proposed by Pozdniakov, or Proto-Niger-Congo *-na as proposed by Güldemann. The root is also hypothesized to be the common root from which the form elephant also comes in many languages including Proto-Yoruboid, suggesting it being a doublet of Doublet of *é-lĩ. See Pozdniakov and Appendix:Proto-Niger-Congo numerals for more extensive data.

In most Niger-Congo languages, the term for eight is derived from the root for four, (usually a reduplication of the "four" root), however, like the rest of numbers from 1-10, Proto-Yoruboid has unique roots for each term (a unique innovation not seen in most families in Niger-Congo)

• IPA^(key): /ɛ̀.lɪ̃̄/

*ɛ̀-lɪ̃

1. four

• Igala: ẹ̀lẹ
• Ede Nago: ɛrɪ̃
• Itsekiri: ẹrẹn
• Olukumi: ẹ̀rẹn
• Northwest Yoruba; Northeast Yoruba: ẹ̀rin
• Central Yoruba
  • Ekiti Yoruba: ẹẹ̀rịn, ẹ̀rịn
• Southeast Yoruba
  • Ondo Yoruba: ẹ̀nẹn
  • Owo Yoruba: ẹ̀rẹn

• Previous number: *ɛ̀-ta
• Next number: *ɛ̀-lʊ̃́, *à-rʊ̃ã́