The Number Concept - Its Origin and Development by Levi Leonard Conant
page 53 of 286 (18%)
page 53 of 286 (18%)
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4. encatu.
5. alacötegladu = 1 hand. 6. intimutu = thumb (of second hand). 7. tannituna = index finger. 8. tannituna cabiasu = the finger next the index finger. 9. bitin ötegla cabiasu = hand next to complete. 10. catögladu = 2 hands. As if to emphasize the rarity of this method of forming numerals, the Jiviros afterward discarded the last five of the above scale, replacing them by words borrowed from the Quichuas, or ancient Peruvians. The same process may have been followed by other tribes, and in this way numerals which were originally digital may have disappeared. But we have no evidence that this has ever happened in any extensive manner. We are, rather, impelled to accept the occasional numerals of this class as exceptions to the general rule, until we have at our disposal further evidence of an exact and critical nature, which would cause us to modify this opinion. An elaborate philological study by Dr. J.H. Trumbull[86] of the numerals used by many of the North American Indian tribes reveals the presence in the languages of these tribes of a few, but only a few, finger names which are used without change as numeral expressions also. Sometimes the finger gives a name not its own to the numeral with which it is associated in counting--as in the Chippeway dialect, which has _nawi-nindj_, middle of the hand, and _nisswi_, 3; and the Cheyenne, where _notoyos_, middle finger, and _na-nohhtu_, 8, are closely related. In other parts of the world isolated examples of the transference of finger names to numerals are also found. Of these a well-known example is furnished by the Zulu numerals, where "_tatisitupa_, taking the thumb, becomes a numeral for six. Then the verb _komba_, to point, indicating the forefinger, or 'pointer,' makes the next numeral, seven. Thus, answering the question, 'How much did |
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