Reconstruction:Proto-Japonic/kətə

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.

Proto-Japonic

Etymology

Speculatively, may be related to verb 語る (kataru, “to tell [a story, etc.]”). However the pitch accent patterns do not match.

Possibly related to Korean 것 (geot), but the Korean term historically ended in -s, which is difficult to reconcile.

Noun

*kətə

1. act, deed, work
2. matter, abstract thing (as opposed to *mənə (“concrete thing”))

Descendants

• Old Japanese: 事 (ko₂to₂)
  • Japanese: 事 (koto)
• Proto-Ryukyuan: *koto
  • Northern Ryukyuan:
    • Kikai: 事 (xutu)
    • Kunigami: 事 (khutū)
    • Northern Amami-Oshima: 事 (kutu, xutu)
    • Okinawan: 事 (kutu)
    • Oki-No-Erabu: 事 (kutu)
    • Southern Amami-Oshima: 事 (xutu)
    • Toku-No-Shima: 事 (kutu)
    • Yoron: 事 (futu)
  • Southern Ryukyuan:
    • Miyako: 事 (kutu)
    • Yaeyama: 事 (kutu)
    • Yonaguni: 事 (kutu)

Noun

*kətə

1. speech, word

Derived terms

• *kətənpa

Descendants

• Old Japanese: 言 (ko₂to₂)
  • Japanese: 言 (koto)
• Proto-Ryukyuan: *koto
  • Northern Ryukyuan:
    • Kunigami: 言 (futū, khutū)
    • Okinawan: 言 (kutu)
    • Yoron: 言 (futu)
  • Southern Ryukyuan:
    • Miyako: 言 (kutu)
    • Yaeyama: 言 (kutu)