Reconstruction:Proto-Finnic/-ttu

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

Alternative forms

  • *-tu (after monosyllabic stems or consonants)

Etymology

Comprised of the passive marker *-tta- and a suffix of unclear origin, possibly *-u or *-ut (depending on the reconstruction, see below). In the latter case, even a combination of the passive *-tta- + past active participle ending *-nut has been proposed (compare the present participle endings, active *-pa, passive *-ttapa < *-tta- + *-pa).

Reconstruction

Two forms are found in descendants, *-ttu and *-t'ut (*-ttu-t). Traditionally, the former of these has been considered primary, and the latter as having developed by analogy with the active past participle ending *-nut.[1]

More recently, some have questioned the traditional explanation. Mantila & Leiviskä (2017) note that some South Ostrobothnian dialects have been noted to display forms like otettuen (< *ot'ettu-d-en; corresponding past active participle ottanuen < *ottanu-d-en). They also note, following Tunkelo (1946), that the Veps past active participle forms have lost the final consonant (-nu), while the past passive participles haven't (-tud), which would make the analogy explanation unlikely.[2] Some Finnish speakers also exhibit final gemination, which often derive from lost final consonants, in the participle ending. The distribution of the final consonant thus spans some Finnish dialects, Veps and all languages outside the Northern Finnic group except for (Western) Votic, which could speak against the analogical theory. Nevertheless, most works discussing the Finnic participles still usually follow the traditional explanation.

Suffix

*-ttu / *-ttü

  1. (having been) -ed; forms the past (passive) participle, which is used as an adjective.

Inflection

This adjective needs an inflection-table template.

Descendants

From *-ttu:

  • Finnish: -ttu
  • Ingrian: -ttu
  • Karelian:
    • North Karelian: -ttu
    • South Karelian: -ttu
  • Livvi: -ttu
  • Ludian: -ttu
  • Votic: -ttu

From *-t'ut:

  • Estonian: -tud
  • >? Finnish: -ttu(ˣ) (with final gemination)
  • Livonian: -tõd, -dõd
  • Veps: -tud
  • Võro: -t, -d (if not from *-ttu; original -tuq/-duq analyzed as plural, based on unstable singular/plural distinction in the nominative?)
  • Votic: (dialectal, Eastern Votic) -ttug

References

  1. ^ Hakulinen, Lauri. 1941–2000. Suomen kielen rakenne ja kehitys ('The Structure and Development of the Finnish Language'). Helsinki: Otava/Helsingin yliopisto.
  2. ^ Harri Mantila; Matti Leiviskä (2017), “Onko Etelä-Pohjanmaan murteessa rautakautisia jälkiä?”, in Virittäjä, volume 2/2017, pages 160–175
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