Reconstruction:Proto-Finnic/kaski

This Proto-Finnic 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-Finnic

Etymology

Proposed to derive from some derivative of Proto-Indo-European *h₂eHs- (to burn), similar to Proto-Germanic *askǭ (ashes).

The Estonian and Votic reflexes show a shift to a meaning birch, for which a likely intermediate is reflected in a dialectal Finnish meaning (Southwestern and Far Northern) young birch, birch shoots. These have been earlier compared with the Permic words for birch (Komi-Zyrian кыдз (kydź), Udmurt кызьпу (kyźpu), from Proto-Permic *ku̇ʒ́, suggested to derive from Proto-Uralic *kuće), but this has several phonetic difficulties and cannot be considered tenable.

Has also been compared to Armenian կեչի (kečʻi, birch).[1]

Noun

*kaski

  1. swidden, slash-and-burned land
  2. copse, especially raised for burning

Inflection

Descendants

  • Estonian: kask (birch)
  • Finnish: kaski
  • Ingrian: kaski
  • Karelian: kaški
  • Ludian kašk
  • Veps: kask
  • Votic: kahtši (birch)

References

  • Itkonen, Erkki, Kulonen, Ulla-Maija, editors (1992–2000), Suomen sanojen alkuperä [The Origin of Finnish Words]‎[2] (in Finnish) (online version; note: also includes other etymological sources; this source is labeled "SSA 1992–2000"), Helsinki: Institute for the Languages of Finland/Finnish Literature Society, →ISBN
  1. ^ J̌ahukyan, Geworg (1987) Hayocʻ lezvi patmutʻyun; naxagrayin žamanakašrǰan [History of the Armenian language: The Pre-Literary Period]‎[1] (in Armenian), Yerevan: Academy Press, page 296