Reconstruction:Proto-Yoruboid/ɛ̀-fà

Proto-Yoruboid

Etymology

While most Yoruboid roots beyond five seem to be local innovations, not even sharing with cognates in other Volta-Niger languages, this seems strongly related to Edo ehan, where /h/ to /f/ is a common phonological change often seen between Edoid and Yoruboid languages. The Edo form is also certainly related to Edo eha (“three”).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ɛ̀.fà/

Numeral

*ɛ̀-fà

six

Descendants

Ifè: ɛ̀fà
Igala: ẹ̀fà
Yoruba: ẹ̀fà
Itsekiri: ẹ̀fà