Chukotko-Kamchatkan–Amuric
(hypothetical)
Geographic
distribution		Northeast Asia
Linguistic classificationProposed language family
Subdivisions
GlottologNone

The Chukotko-Kamchatkan–Amuric languages form a hypothetical language family including Nivkh and Chukotko-Kamchatkan. A relationship between Chukotko-Kamchatkan and Nivkh was proposed by Michael Fortescue. He theorized that their common ancestor might have been spoken around 4000 years ago.[1] However Glottolog says that the evidence is insufficient to conclude a genealogical relationship between Nivkh and Chukotko-Kamchatkan.[2]

Evidence

Phonological

Proposed sound correspondences[1]

Nivkh CK
p, t, c, k, q p’, t’, c’, k’, q’
p’, t’, c’, k’, q’ v, r/z, γ, R
m, n, n, ŋ m, n, n’, ŋ
w, j w, j
ə æ

Some cognates which include a sound change of Nivkh /ə/ and CK /æ/ are: t’əkə ‘edge of sleeping platform’ and CK tæγən 'near the edge of'' and Nivkh ərŋ 'mouth of a river' and CK ær 'flow out'.

Lexical

Proposed Nivkh-Chukotko-Kamchatkan cognates[3]

Nivkh CK
aui 'mouth' æw 'get a hole'
kama 'run' kame 'move around'
juty 'pour' jit 'drip'
poju 'smoke' (verb) pujæ 'cook on hot stones in pit'
t'am 'stay calm' təmɣə 'stay still, calm'
uige 'no' ujŋæ 'no'

Morphological

Chukotko-Kamchatkan and Nivkh have dual/plural distinction, however it has been lost in Chukchi.

Chukotko-Kamchatkan also has a "singulative" ending, and traces of a singulative ending in Nivkh might be seen.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Fortescue, Michael (2011). "The relationship of Nivkh to Chukotko-Kamchatkan revisited". Lingua. 121 (8): 1359–1376. doi:10.1016/j.lingua.2011.03.001.
  2. ↑ "Glottolog 4.3 - Amur Nivkh". glottolog.org.
  3. ↑ Fortescue, Michael (1998). Language Relations across Bering Strait. London: Cassell & Co.
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