New evidence on Para-Mongolic numerals

Abstract

Para-Mongolic is a technical term that designates languages that were related to the Mongolic languages, but which split off from this lineage before Proto-Mongolic times. One source of knowledge for Para-Mongolic comes from loanwords in surrounding languages, of which borrowed numerals in the Tungusic language Jurchen are a wellknown example. The paper presents new evidence found in Tungusic languages that were previously almost unknown in the West and briefl y sketches the place of those languages within the Tungusic family.

Khitan Studies I. The Graphs Of The Khitan Small Script

“…Hölzl (2015), as did earlier Kane, suggests a final -l based on Jurchen and Alchuka data. These ls may have been substituion for -r, which is present in most of the Proto Mongolic numerals.…”

“…It is possible that Mongolic *gurčin goes back to an earlier *gurtin. The form of the word for ʻ30ʼ can be reconstructed in Manchu-Tungus as *gutin (see Laufer 1921;Miller 1975;Poppe 1979;Cincius 1975, p. 175, Doerfer 1985Janhunen 1993;Hölzl 2015), while the Jurchen form is *gušin (Kane 1989, p. 364), these forms are loans from early Mongolic. Though the Chinese data are 134 ANDRÁS RÓNA-TAS Acta Orient.…”

“…12 - 13). A Hölzl (2015). discusses the numerals in Alchuka, a newly discovered and now already extinct language, which seems to be close to Manchu and Jurchen.…”