Reconstruction:Proto-Finnic/kirja

This Proto-Finnic entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Finnic

Etymology

Origin unknown.

Reconstruction

A secondary sense “writing, writ, book” develops in most descendants after the introduction of literacy. Slavic influence might be possible;^[1] for the semantic development, compare Russian писать (pisatʹ, “to write”) from Proto-Slavic *pьsati (“to draw”), akin to *pьstrъ (“multicolored”), mirroring that of *kirjoittadak; similar influence may also be suspected with *lukëdak.

Noun

*kirja^[2]

decoration, decorative pattern made by carving, embroidery, etc.

Inflection

Inflection of *kirja

	singular	plural
Note: The Proto-Finnic declension system is yet to be reconstructed in detail. What is presented here is only one possibility.
nominative	*kirja	*kirjat
accusative	*kirjan	*kirjat
genitive	*kirjan	kirjadën kirjoidën
partitive	*kirjada	*kirjoida
inessive	kirjassa kirjahna	kirjoissa kirjoihna
elative	*kirjasta	*kirjoista
illative	*kirjahën	*kirjoihën
adessive	*kirjalla	*kirjoilla
ablative	*kirjalta	*kirjoilta
allative	kirjalën kirjalëk	kirjoilën kirjoilëk
essive	*kirjana	*kirjoina
translative	*kirjaksi	*kirjoiksi
instructive	*kirjan	*kirjoin
comitative	*kirjanëk	*kirjoinëk
abessive	*kirjatta	*kirjoitta

Derived terms

Descendants

Estonian: kiri (“writing, letter, pattern”)
Finnish: kirja (“book”)
Ingrian: kirja (“book, pattern, letter”)
Karelian:
- North Karelian: kirja (“letter; pattern; book”)
- South Karelian: kirja (“letter; pattern”)
Livvi: kirju (“book, list, pattern, literacy, education”)
Livonian: kēra (“pattern, writing, letter”)
Ludian: kirď (“pattern, letter (of the alphabet)”)
Veps: kirj (“book, writing, literacy, pattern, sign”)
Võro: kiri (“writing, letter”)
Votic: tširjõ (“book, writing, letter, literacy, document, colour”)
→ Proto-Samic: *kirjē (“spot, speck; book”)
- Western Samic:
  - Southern Sami: girjie
  - Ume Sami: girjjie
  - Pite Sami: girrje
  - Lule Sami: girjje
  - Northern Sami: girji
- Eastern Samic:
  - Inari Sami: kirje
  - Skolt Sami: ǩeʹrjj
  - Akkala Sami: киррьй (kirr’j, “pattern”)
  - Kildin Sami: кыррьй (kyrr’j)
  - Ter Sami: kërrʹje

References

^ Itkonen, Erkki, Kulonen, Ulla-Maija, editors (1992–2000), “kirjoittaa”, in Suomen sanojen alkuperä [The Origin of Finnish Words]‎^[1] (in Finnish) (online version; note: also includes other etymological sources; this source is labeled "SSA 1992–2000"), Helsinki: Institute for the Languages of Finland/Finnish Literature Society, →ISBN
^ Kallio, Petri (2020–) “*kirja”, in Yhteissuomalainen sanasto [Common Finnic Vocabulary]‎^[2] (in Finnish)

[1] Itkonen, Erkki, Kulonen, Ulla-Maija, editors (1992–2000), “kirjoittaa”, in Suomen sanojen alkuperä [The Origin of Finnish Words]‎^[1] (in Finnish) (online version; note: also includes other etymological sources; this source is labeled "SSA 1992–2000"), Helsinki: Institute for the Languages of Finland/Finnish Literature Society, →ISBN

[2] Kallio, Petri (2020–) “*kirja”, in Yhteissuomalainen sanasto [Common Finnic Vocabulary]‎^[2] (in Finnish)

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