Reconstruction:Proto-Yoruboid/ɔ́-ɓɔ́

This Proto-Yoruboid 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-Yoruboid

Alternative forms

• *ɔ́-wɔ́

Etymology

Cognates are found in every branch of Volta-Niger, with languages adopting the definition of hand, arm, or both, and most branches of Volta-Congo. Westerman reconstructs the term as "arm" to Proto-Atlantic-Congo *-bua-. The root term, *ɓɔ́ is cognate with Proto-Edoid *ɓɔ, Proto-Idomoid *-bwɔ, Proto-Igboid *bɔ̀, Proto-Gbe *-bɔ́, Proto-Ebiroid *ʊ-bɔ, Proto Arigidi *wɔ́, Akpes ɔbɔ, and Oko-Eni-Osayen úbá

Cognates can also be found in more distantly-related Benue-Congo proto-languages including Proto-Ukaan *ʊ̀wɔ́, Proto-Lower Cross River *ú-bɔk, Proto-Ogoni *ɔ̀bɔ́, and several reconstructed Proto-Plateau terms, Proto-Plateau *-bwak (Kagoro), Proto-Plateau *gu-bok (Jaba), and Proto-Plateau *-bwak (Beromic), see Proto-Benue-Congo *-boko. Also see cognates among Gur languages, Proto-Oti-Volta *ba, Proto-Eastern Oti-Volta *ba-, Proto-Grassfields *bó, perhaps related to Akan abasa, and maybe even Proto-Ijoid *ɓara. All this suggests a much older inheritance , the Proto-Yoruboid term is proposed to derive from Proto-Volta-Niger *ɔ́-bɔ́, with a common Proto-Volta-Congo [Term?] source, see another proposed reconstruction to Niger-Congo. Proto-Niger-Congo *-bo

The other reconstructed Niger-Congo root *ka (“hand”) can be seen in Proto-Yoruboid *á-ká

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔ́.ɓɔ́/

Noun

*ɔ́-ɓɔ́

1. hand, arm

   Synonym: *á-ká

Descendants

• Igala: ọ́wọ́
• Proto-Edekiri:
  • Olukumi: ọwọ́
  • Proto-Itsekiri-SEY:
    • Itsekiri: ẹwọ́
    • Southeast Yoruba: ọghọ́
      • Ìjẹ̀bú: ọwọ́
  • Proto-Yoruba: ọwọ́
    • Northwest Yoruba, Northeast Yoruba: ọwọ́
      • Yoruba: ọwọ́ (Standard Yoruba)
      • Central Yoruba: ọọ́
      • Ifè: ɔwɔ́