Reconstruction:Proto-Muskogean/watonlaka

This Proto-Muskogean 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-Muskogean

Noun

*watonlaka

1. crane (bird)

Reconstruction notes

• The Hitchiti descendant is considered to be a borrowing from Creek by Haas. Booker further adds that initial *w is suspect in Hitchiti, as there is some evidence to suggest that Proto-Muskogean initial *w became y in Hitchiti-Mikasuki (see *wakaxa for example).

Descendants

• Alabama: watola (“powerful bird of prey”)
• Chickasaw: wato̱lo
• Choctaw: wato̱lak
• Creek: watulv
  • → Hitchiti: watoli
• Koasati: watola (“whooping crane”)