Numbers in Laz
ლაზური ნენა
Numbers in Laz follow a vigesimal (base-20) system, making it unique among many languages. Spoken by approximately 30,000 Laz people along the southeastern Black Sea coast in Turkey and Georgia, Laz is part of the Kartvelian language family. Its counting system features a combination of base-20 patterns for tens and specific words for hundreds and thousands. The language's distinctive counting rules include forming numbers like 27 as 'eçidoşkvit' (20 + 7) and 78 as 'sumeneçidovitoçxoro' (3*20 + 10 + 9). Understanding these rules reveals a complex yet logical structure that sets Laz apart from more familiar decimal systems. Exploring the numbers in Laz offers insight into its rich cultural and linguistic heritage.
Number system
Laz uses a vigesimal system for its tens, where 10 is 'vit', and multiples of 20 are built by combining words. For example, 20 is 'eçi', and 30 is 'eçidovit' (20 + 10). The pattern continues with 40 as 'jurneçi' (2*20), 50 as 'jurneçidovit' (2*20 + 10), and so forth. Numbers from 6 to 9 are formed by combining the base words: 6 is 'aşi', 7 is 'şkvit', 8 is 'ovro', and 9 is 'çxoro'. Compound numbers are constructed by placing the tens first, then the conjunction 'do' or 'o' if the ten ends with 't', followed by the units. For example, 15 is 'vitoxut' (10 + 5), and 27 is 'eçidoşkvit' (20 + 7). Hundreds are formed with the multiplier followed by 'oşi', e.g., 200 is 'jur oşi', and 300 is 'sum oşi'. Thousands are built similarly with 'şilya', e.g., 1,000 is 'şilya', and 2,000 is 'jur şilya'. Larger numbers like millions are borrowed from Turkish, such as 'milyoni' for million.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Digits from zero to nine
Digits are represented by specific words: 0 is 'sufuri', 1 is 'ar', 2 is 'jur', 3 is 'sum', 4 is 'otxo', 5 is 'xut', 6 is 'aşi', 7 is 'şkvit', 8 is 'ovro', 9 is 'çxoro'. For example, 6 is 'aşi', 7 is 'şkvit', 8 is 'ovro', and 9 is 'çxoro'.
Formation of tens
Tens are based on a vigesimal system: 10 is 'vit', 20 is 'eçi', 30 is 'eçidovit' (20 + 10), 40 is 'jurneçi' (2*20), 50 is 'jurneçidovit' (2*20 + 10). For example, 20 is 'eçi', 30 is 'eçidovit', and 50 is 'jurneçidovit'.
Forming compound numbers
Compound numbers are formed by starting with the ten, then adding 'do' or 'o' if the ten ends with 't', followed by the unit. For example, 15 is 'vitoxut' (10 + 5), 27 is 'eçidoşkvit' (20 + 7), and 78 is 'sumeneçidovitoçxoro' (3*20 + 10 + 9).
Hundreds
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier unit before 'oşi'. For example, 100 is 'oşi', 200 is 'jur oşi', 300 is 'sum oşi', 400 is 'otxo oşi'.
Thousands
Thousands are formed with the multiplier unit followed by 'şilya'. For example, 1,000 is 'şilya', 2,000 is 'jur şilya', 3,000 is 'sum şilya'. Larger scales like million are borrowed from Turkish, e.g., 'milyoni' for million.
Unique features
The vigesimal system is evident in numbers like 40 ('jurneçi') and 50 ('jurneçidovit'), which are 2*20 and 2*20+10 respectively.
Unlike many languages that use a decimal system, Laz combines base-20 patterns with specific words for hundreds and thousands, creating a unique hybrid counting system.
Numbers like 27 ('eçidoşkvit') and 78 ('sumeneçidovitoçxoro') show how units are added after the tens, with the conjunctions 'do' or 'o' omitted in the written form but implied in structure.
For large numbers, Laz borrows terms from Turkish, such as 'milyoni' for million, integrating foreign words into its native counting system.
The word for 1,000, 'şilya', is used extensively in forming larger numbers, but the core pattern remains vigesimal for tens and hundreds.
Cultural context
The Laz people inhabit the southeastern Black Sea coast of Turkey and parts of Georgia, maintaining a rich cultural heritage rooted in their language and traditions. Numbers in Laz appear in daily life, trade, and traditional festivities, often reflecting their historical interactions with neighboring cultures. The use of large numbers like 'milyoni' (million) indicates engagement in trade and modern economic activities. Laz culture values community and storytelling, where numbers play a role in recounting histories and genealogies. Certain numbers may be considered lucky or taboo, though specific beliefs are less documented. The language's unique counting system exemplifies their resilience and cultural identity, blending indigenous patterns with external influences.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 15 is 'vitoxut', literally 10 + 5, demonstrating the additive nature of Laz's vigesimal system.
Fact 2: Unlike English, which is decimal, Laz's use of 'eçi' for 20 and 'eçidovit' for 30 highlights its base-20 structure, similar to some Celtic languages.
Fact 3: The formation of 78 as 'sumeneçidovitoçxoro' reveals a complex pattern of multiplying 20, adding 10, and then the units, showcasing a layered linguistic process.
Fact 4: Historically, Laz has borrowed the words for large numbers like 'milyoni' from Turkish, reflecting cultural contact and trade influences.
Fact 5: The word for 1,000, 'şilya', is used as a building block for larger numbers, similar to how 'thousand' functions in many languages, but with a distinct native form.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Laz?
1 - ar, 2 - jur, 3 - sum, 4 - otxo, 5 - xut, 6 - aşi, 7 - şkvit, 8 - ovro, 9 - çxoro, 10 - vit.
What number base does Laz use?
Laz uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, evidenced by 20 being 'eçi', 30 'eçidovit', 40 'jurneçi', and 50 'jurneçidovit', which are multiples of 20 plus 10.
How do you say 42 in Laz?
42 is 'eçidoşkvit' (20 + 10 + 7). It combines 'eçi' (20), 'do' (and), and 'şkvit' (7).
How do you say 100 in Laz?
100 is 'oşi'. Hundreds are formed by the multiplier plus 'oşi', e.g., 'jur oşi' for 200.
How many people speak Laz?
Approximately 30,000 people speak Laz, mainly along the southeastern Black Sea coast in Turkey and Georgia.
Is Laz related to other languages?
Yes, Laz belongs to the Kartvelian language family, which includes Georgian, Mingrelian, and Svan.
What makes Laz counting unique?
Its vigesimal system, combining base-20 patterns with native words for hundreds and thousands, and borrowing large number terms from Turkish, make Laz counting distinctive.
Sources
- Novus ortus: The awakening of Laz language in Turkey (pdf), by Nurdan Kavakli (2015)