Reconstructing Proto-Atayalic negators

Abstract

This paper attempts reconstruct to four types of negators with different functions (i. verbal, ii. nominal, iii. existential, and iv. prohibitive) in the Atayalic languages Atayal and Seediq. This paper first reconstructs four negators in each of Proto-Seediq (i. *ini, *kani, ii. *adi, *uxay, iii. *uka, iv. *iya) and Proto-Atayal (i. *ini, *kana, ii. *iyat, iii. *uka, iv. *ka, *laxi) by comparing two dialects in each language. For the reconstruction of the Proto-Seediq negators, Paran Seediq and Truku Seediq are compared. For the reconstruction of Proto-Atayal, Squliq Atayal and C’uli’ Atayal are compared. Then, by comparing the forms and functions of the negators in Proto-Seediq and Proto-Atayal, the Proto- Atayalic negators are reconstructed (i. *ini, *kani, *kana, ii. *adi, iii. *uka, iv. *ka, *ija). The Proto-Saisiyat negators are also reconstructed to supplement the evidence for the reconstruction of Proto-Atayalic *ija, which is the negator used for prohibition.