ナイル諸語における「単数(Singulative)」について

Abstract

All three branches of the Nilotic languages have the singulative formation in the nominal morphology. The singulative formation in Proto-West Nilotic can be reconstructed as follows; singulative forms were derived from basic stems by attaching the suffix, -O or -nO. The alveolar nasal of the latter nasalized the preceding consonant in basic stems. (a) CVC-O (b) CVC-nO > CVN-nO > CVN-O The singulative forms in Eastern Nilotic are derived from basic stems by attaching the suffix, -A/-o or --(Ak/ok)-i. The velar voiceless stop turned to an alveolar nasal inter-vocally. (c) Stem-A/o (d) Stem-(Ak/ok)-I/i > Stem-(An/on)-I/I The singulative forms in Southern Nilotic are derived from basic stems by attaching the suffix, -(y)a:n or -i:n. The forms accompanied by the suffix, -i:n, were most likely plural forms with collective meaning. (e) Stem-(y)a:n (f) Stem-i:n We can find some cognate sets that attest the singulative formation in Proto-Nilotic. For example; Teso (E N) 'cow, cattle' Nandi (S N) 'cow, cattle' Shilluk (W N) 'cow, cattle' A-kI-tEng' (sg.)/ A-kI-tUk tany (sg.)/ tuc (pl.) dhyang' (sg.)/ dhok (pl.) Singulative : PN *(kwI)-r2Eg-Ak-I > (kwI)-r2Eg-An-I > (kwI)-r2Eg-n-I > (kwl)- r2Eng'-n-I > (kwI)-r2Eng'-I > (kwI)-r2Eng' Three branches retain singulative forms in the cognate set for 'cow, cattle'. However they do not always retain singulative forms. Some branches have singulative forms, but others do not in a cognate set.