THE ORIGINS OF STEMS OF STANDARD ESTONIAN – A STATISTICAL OVERVIEW
THE ORIGINS OF STEMS OF STANDARD ESTONIAN – A STATISTICAL OVERVIEW
Author(s): Sven-Erik SoosaarSubject(s): Language and Literature Studies
Published by: Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus
Keywords: cognate words; lexicostatistics; loan words; Estonian etymology; Estonian lexicon history of Estonian
Summary/Abstract: The lexicon of literary Estonian is analysed by layers of inherited stems and loan words according to the data from the Estonian Etymological Dictionary (2012). The data is compared with previous data presented by Huno Rätsep in the 1980s and main differences are shown and the reasons behind these discussed. The numbers of cognates in related languages is analysed and the data compared with the theories on proto-languages. No affirmation for a separate Finno-Volgaic node is found based on lexical cognates in Estonian. Samoyed languages clearly distinguish from Finno-Ugrian languages with Selkup and Nenets having more cognates than other Samoyed languages.
Journal: TRAMES
- Issue Year: XVII/2013
- Issue No: 3
- Page Range: 273-300
- Page Count: 28
- Language: English