Reconstruction:Proto-Uto-Aztecan/kapsi

This Proto-Uto-Aztecan 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-Uto-Aztecan

Etymology

Notable for preserving the cluster *-ps-, which is directly attested in Tübatulabal hapšil, though palatalised to -pš-. Other branches show various simplifications as *-s- in most branches or further lenited to *-h- in Tepiman or metathesised and palatalised in Nahua (ikši-tl).

Noun

*kapsi (Stubbs 2011, Manaster Ramer 1993)

  1. (anatomy) thigh, leg
    Synonyms: *macci, *ŋayka, *pïN-kap-, *saʼi, *toko, *uma

Reconstruction notes

This word is significant in Proto-Uto-Aztecan reconstruction for providing evidence of medial consonant clusters, as discussed by Kaufman (1981) and later Manaster-Ramer (1993, 1997), departing from earlier reconstructions such as Miller (1967) and Voegelin (1962), which posited *kasi without a cluster. The reconstruction of *-ps- is supported by its direct preservation in Tübatulabal.

The variety of complex patterns and reflexes in descendant languages aligns with a broader pattern where medial consonant clusters often show more complex and varied developments than single consonants, particularly in non-initial syllables. This challenges the traditional view of Proto-Uto-Aztecan stems primarily being CVCV and helps explain some traditionally problematic medial consonant correspondences.

Alternative reconstructions

  • *kapsii (Kaufman 1981)
  • *kasi (Miller 1967, Voegelin 1962)

Derived terms

  • *pïN-kap-, *nuN-kap-, *huN-kap- (“thigh”)
  • *coko (“knee, to kneel”)
  • *huNkaC (“leg”)
  • *kïsa, *kïsica (“foot, leg”)
  • *nappa, *napo (“foot”)
  • *om (“lower leg”)
  • *taLa (“foot”)
  • *tamo (“knee”)
  • *toŋa (“knee”)

Descendants

*kapsi (unmarked)

  • Northern Uto-Aztecan:
    • Hopi: qàasi (“thigh, hindquarter”)
    • Takic:
      • Mizo: qáásil (“thigh”)
  • Southern Uto-Aztecan:
    • Pimic:
      • O'odham: kahio (“leg”)
      • Paipai: kahir (“leg”)
      • Tepehuan:
        • Northern Tepehuan: káji (“thigh”)
        • Southeastern Tepehuan: kai (“thigh”)
    • Tarahumaran:
      • Central Tarahumara: kasí (“thigh”), gasí (“thigh”)
      • Huarijio: kasí (“thigh”)

*kapsi-ta (absolutive)

  • Proto-Nahuan: *ɨkši-tl (“foot”), *ɨkšo-tl, >? *kəšil-lɨ (“groin”)
  • Northern Uto-Aztecan:
    • Tübatulabal: hapšil (“thigh, upper leg”)

References

  • Stubbs, Brian D. (2020) [2011], “939. *kapsi ‘thigh’”, in Uto-Aztecan: A comparative vocabulary‎[1], revised online edition, Flower Mound, Texas: Shumway Family History Services, page 182
  • Manaster Ramer, Alexis; Blight, Ralph Charles (January 1993), “Uto-Aztecan *ps (and *sp, too?)”, in International Journal of American Linguistics, volume 59, number 1, →JSTOR, pages 38–43
  • Manaster Ramer, Alexis (April 1997), “Uto-Aztecan *ps and similar clusters, again”, in International Journal of American Linguistics, volume 63, number 2, →JSTOR, pages 248–256
  • Kaufman, Terrence (1981), Comparative Uto-Aztecan Phonology, Ms
  • Miller, Wick R. (1967), “435. *kasi thigh”, in Uto-Aztecan Cognate Sets (University of California Publications in Linguistics; 48), Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, page ?
  • Voegelin, C. F.; Voegelin, F. M.; Hale, Kenneth L. (1962), “(41) *kasi leg, thigh”, in Typological and Comparative Grammar of Uto-Aztecan: I (Phonology) (Indiana University Publications in Anthropology and Linguistics; Memoir 17), Baltimore: Waverly Press, Inc., page ?
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