nɨvi n. elephant éléphant (2 groups, 5 languages) B syn: ᵐbɨlala ʸ, dzɨwɨn ʸ, gɨwɨn.
This is one of four roots for 'elephant' which have been reconstructed, and is only found in some of the Kotoko languages. The change from *v to *f in Proto-Kotoko North is a regular change. The *n is only found in Lagwan. There is a common sporadic sound change in these groups *n to *r, but there is no evidence of a regular change in the other direction, and so *n is preferred in the reconstruction.
1Proto-Kotoko North *arfɨ elephant éléphant 1.1) Afade (Allison) arfi elephant éléphant 1.2) Mpade (Allison) àrfù elephant éléphant 1.3) Malgbe (Allison) arfɨ elephant éléphant
2Proto-Kotoko Centre *rɨvi elephant éléphant 2.1) Lagwan (Allison) nɨvi elephant éléphant 2.2) Mser (Allison) arvi elephant éléphant
This is one of four roots for 'elephant' which have been reconstructed, and is only found in some of the Kotoko languages. The change from *v to *f in Proto-Kotoko North is a regular change. The *n is only found in Lagwan. There is a common sporadic sound change in these groups *n to *r, but there is no evidence of a regular change in the other direction, and so *n is preferred in the reconstruction.
1Proto-Kotoko North *arfɨ elephant éléphant 1.1) Afade (Allison) arfi elephant éléphant 1.2) Mpade (Allison) àrfù elephant éléphant 1.3) Malgbe (Allison) arfɨ elephant éléphant
2Proto-Kotoko Centre *rɨvi elephant éléphant 2.1) Lagwan (Allison) nɨvi elephant éléphant 2.2) Mser (Allison) arvi elephant éléphant
