Meskangela: Difference between revisions

Ilain word for “eight” (as well as Western Ilai ''nilu'' “twelve” and Eastern Ilai ''mokō'' “twenty”) are obvious borrowings from Southern Meskangela. The word ''*li'' “four” may also be an old borrowing, although Eastern Ilai ''lalí~rarí'' can be derived from “two pairs” (''ra'' “pair” is likely present in *ára “two”). Other words, such as “one” and “ten” show possible cognation, and Eastern Ilai ''lu'' “five” being similar to first syllable in ''lëŋa'' “five”, though the evidence is inconclusive. The similarities might have arisen from borrowing into Ilain from Meskangela (or vice versa) during prehistoric times.