Reconstruction talk:Proto-Japonic/asi

problems

I made an RFV; any thoughts (Notifying Eirikr, TAKASUGI Shinji, Atitarev, Fish bowl, Poketalker, Cnilep, Marlin Setia1, Huhu9001, 荒巻モロゾフ, 片割れ靴下, Onionbar, Shen233, Alves9, Cpt.Guapo, Sartma, Lugria, LittleWhole): and @Kwékwlos, Mellohi! Chuterix (talk) 01:23, 27 June 2023 (UTC)

There is definitely Old Japanese 足 (a), attestable both as a standalone noun and as a component in many compounds, even things that modern speakers think of as atomic like 後 (ato, “after; later”), originally from 足 (a, “foot”) + 処 (to, “place”), in reference to "footprint", as in one's "trail", one's "afters". This suggests that the asi form that is also attestable in OJP may well be a compound, although I am uncertain what the -si element would be.

If this is a compound, and no reflexes can be found in the Ryukyuan languages, then this must have been a form that arose specifically in the Japanese branch after the Japanese and Ryukyuan populations split off.

I do seem to find reflexes of Japanese 後 (ato), such as in Okinawan 後先 (atusachi, “after and before; end and start”, JLect entry here), suggesting that at least some of the derivatives of Old Japanese 足 (a) are shared -- unless this Okinawan atu can be shown to be a later borrowing? ‑‑ Eiríkr Útlendi │^{Tala við mig} 09:04, 27 June 2023 (UTC)