Numbers in Occitan
Numbers in Occitan follow a primarily decimal system with some unique compound formations. Spoken by about 2 million people in southern France, Italy’s Occitan Valleys, Monaco, and Spain’s Val d’Aran, it is part of the Romance language family. The counting system features specific words for numbers zero to sixteen, with compound formations for numbers above twenty. Its structure combines regular patterns with some irregularities, especially in the formation of numbers like 17, 18, and 19. The language’s rich dialectal diversity influences its numerals, making it a fascinating example of Romance counting traditions. Understanding the numbers in Occitan reveals both its historical roots and cultural uniqueness.
Number system
Occitan counting uses a decimal system with specific words for 0 to 16: zèro, un, dos, tres, quatre, cinc, sièis, sèt, uèch, nòu, dètz, onze, dotze, tretze, catòrze, quinze, setze. Numbers from 17 to 19 are formed by combining 10 with the units using 'dètz-e-' (e.g., dètz-e-sèt for 17, dètz-e-uèch for 18, dètz-e-nòu for 19). The tens are named after roots: vint (20), trenta (30), quaranta (40), cinquanta (50), seissanta (60), setanta (70), ochanta (80), and nonanta (90). Compound numbers like 42 are formed by combining the tens and units with a space: cinquanta sèt (57), nonanta nòu (99). Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'cent' (e.g., dos cents for 200). Thousands are formed similarly with 'mila' (e.g., quatre mila for 4000).
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Numbers 0-16 are unique words
Zero to sixteen have specific words: zèro, un, dos, tres, quatre, cinc, sièis, sèt, uèch, nòu, dètz, onze, dotze, tretze, catòrze, quinze, setze. For example, 3 is 'tres', 10 is 'dètz', and 16 is 'setze'.
Numbers 17-19 are formed by combining ten and units
17 is 'dètz-e-sèt', 18 is 'dètz-e-uèch', and 19 is 'dètz-e-nòu'. These are formed by the pattern 'dètz-e-' plus the unit word, linking the ten and units with '-e-'.
Tens are named after roots, except for ten and twenty
The tens are 'dètz' (10), 'vint' (20), 'trenta' (30), 'quaranta' (40), 'cinquanta' (50), 'seissanta' (60), 'setanta' (70), 'ochanta' (80), and 'nonanta' (90). For example, 30 is 'trenta', 70 is 'setanta'.
Compound numbers above thirty are formed by stating the ten and then the units
Numbers like 42 are 'quaranta dos', 57 is 'cinquanta sèt', and 99 is 'nonanta nòu'. The ten is spoken first, then the unit, separated by a space.
Hundreds are formed by placing the digit before 'cent'
One hundred is 'cent', 200 is 'dos cents', 300 is 'tres cents', etc. For example, 600 is 'sièis cents'.
Thousands are formed by placing the digit before 'mila'
One thousand is 'mila', 2000 is 'dos mila', 3000 is 'tres mila'. For example, 4000 is 'quatre mila'.
Unique features
The number 17 is 'dètz-e-sèt', combining 10 and 7 with a hyphen, unlike in many Romance languages.
Numbers like 70 ('setanta') and 80 ('ochanta') are based on unique roots, not directly derived from Latin.
The formation of 17-19 uses a consistent pattern 'dètz-e-' which is distinct from the simple addition seen in other languages.
Large numbers like one million are 'un milion' and one billion 'un miliard', showing borrowing from Latin/European roots.
The word 'cinc' for five is shared with Catalan, reflecting regional influences and cultural exchanges.
Cultural context
Occitan is spoken primarily in southern France, with communities also in Italy’s Occitan Valleys, Monaco, and Spain’s Val d’Aran. It has a rich cultural heritage linked to medieval troubadours, poetry, and regional traditions. Numbers appear in daily life, trade, and festivals, often with traditional songs and stories emphasizing numerals. The language’s endangered status makes its numerals a symbol of cultural identity. Certain numbers, like 13, may have superstitions, but overall, numbers are used practically in markets, navigation, and cultural celebrations, preserving regional identity and history.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 17 is 'dètz-e-sèt', combining 10 and 7 with a hyphen, which is unique among Romance languages.
Fact 2: Unlike French or Spanish, Occitan uses 'setanta' for 70 and 'ochanta' for 80, roots that are distinct and regional.
Fact 3: The pattern for 17-19 ('dètz-e-') is consistent, showing a logical formation that differs from simple addition or multiplication.
Fact 4: The word 'milion' for one million is borrowed directly from Latin, showing historical influence.
Fact 5: For very large numbers, Occitan uses 'milion' and 'miliard', similar to European languages, but with regional pronunciation variations.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Occitan?
1 - 'un', 2 - 'dos', 3 - 'tres', 4 - 'quatre', 5 - 'cinc', 6 - 'sièis', 7 - 'sèt', 8 - 'uèch', 9 - 'nòu', 10 - 'dètz'.
What number base does Occitan use?
Occitan uses a decimal (base-10) system, evidenced by the words for 10 ('dètz'), 20 ('vint'), and the formation of compound numbers like 'cinquanta sèt' (57).
How do you say 42 in Occitan?
42 is 'quaranta dos', formed by 'quaranta' (40) plus 'dos' (2).
How do you say 100 in Occitan?
100 is 'cent'. For 200, it's 'dos cents', and for 300, 'tres cents'.
How many people speak Occitan?
Approximately 2 million speakers, mainly in southern France, Italy’s Occitan Valleys, Monaco, and Spain’s Val d’Aran.
Is Occitan related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the Romance language family, specifically the Gallo-Romance branch, related to French, Catalan, and Provençal.
What makes Occitan counting unique?
Its use of 'dètz-e-' for numbers 17-19 and roots like 'setanta' for 70 and 'ochanta' for 80 are distinctive features not found in many Romance languages.
Sources
- Basic elements of Occitan grammar, by Xavier Frías Conde, 1999 (.pdf, in Portuguese)