Re: [tied] Helios

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PCR

I must agree with Piotr.

In my opinion, the earliest PIE form will have been *sa:-l(a:)- but I disagree that it cannot be analyzed.

I believe the first element, *sa:-, has to do with 'satisfaction'; the second, *l(a:)- with 'lick'; so that the two probably originally designated a 'saltlick'.

In this context, we can notice *la(:)k-, 'lick'; and *sa:-, 'satisfy'.

I believe the ocean associations of 'salt' are secondary; 'salt', for most early speakers, will have come in the same form it did for ancient animals: a 'saltlick', essential for health.

*sa:- has further interesting associations: 'swine'. The nature of pork leads to an association with salt. I presume no one will argue that pork is _not_ saltier than beef.

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----- Original Message -----

From: Piotr Gasiorowski

To: cybalist@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 3:10 PM

Subject: Re: [tied] Helios

On 2006-08-24 17:08, Joao S. Lopes wrote:

> *seH2 "to dry" would explain both *sh2wel "sun" (The Drying Wheel?) and
> *seH2l- "salt" (the dryed one?)

I have proposed that myself:

http://groupsyahoo.com/group/cybalist/message/446

but that was seven years ago and now I wouldn't even attempt to defend
something like *sh2a:l(-s)/*sh2al-os. I'm not happy with *sah2-l(-s)
either, for a variety of reasons. Laryngeal-less *sa:l-/*sal- seems to
be optimal reconstruction after all, making the 'salt' word unanalysable.

See also

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nostratic-L/message/2590
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nostratic-L/message/2591

Piotr

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