Numbers in Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec
Numbers in Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec follow a partially vigesimal system, combining base-20 and base-10 elements. Spoken by about 3,000 people in Santa Ana Yareni, Oaxaca, this language belongs to the Zapotecan branch of the Oto-Manguean family. Its counting system is unique, especially in how it forms numbers like seventy and ninety by adding ten to the previous ten. This makes the language fascinating for linguists and language enthusiasts. Understanding the numbers in Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec offers insight into its cultural richness and mathematical structure, blending vigesimal and decimal features seamlessly.
Number system
Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec primarily uses a vigesimal system, where twenty (galhia) is a key base. Numbers from 1 to 9 are unique words like ttubi [1], chupa [2], tsunna [3], ttapa [4], gayu [5], xxupa [6], gasi [7], xxunu [8], and jaa [9]. Numbers from ten to nineteen are specific words: tsii [10], sinea [11], tsi’inu [12], si’intse [13], sitá [14], tsinu [15], sixupa [16], tsini [17], sixunu [18], chennia [19]. For example, 6 (xxupa) is formed directly, while 7 (gasi) is a separate word. The word for twenty is galhia, and numbers 21-29 are formed by adding -erua to the digit root (e.g., ttuerua [21], chuperua [22]). Tens like thirty (rerua), forty (chua), fifty (tsieyona), and sixty (gayuna) are specific words, with seventy (gayuna bixxi tsii) and ninety (tta bixxi tsii) formed by adding ten to the previous ten. Compound numbers like 32 (rerua bixxi chupa) and 66 (gayuna bixxi xxupa) combine the ten, the word bixxi, and the units. Hundreds are formed by placing the digit before gayua, e.g., chupa gayua [200], tsunna gayua [300], indicating multiples of twenty. The pattern shows a mix of vigesimal and decimal influences, with some numbers formed by adding ten to previous tens, like seventy and ninety, and others by straightforward multiplication.
Number list (28)
Counting rules
Counting from 1 to 9
Digits 1 to 9 are unique words: ttubi [1], chupa [2], tsunna [3], ttapa [4], gayu [5], xxupa [6], gasi [7], xxunu [8], jaa [9]. For example, 4 is ttapa, and 9 is jaa.
Numbers from 10 to 19
These are specific words: tsii [10], sinea [11], tsi’inu [12], si’intse [13], sitá [14], tsinu [15], sixupa [16], tsini [17], sixunu [18], chennia [19]. For instance, 16 is sixupa, formed directly, and 18 is sixunu, a contraction of tsii [10] and xxunu [8].
Numbers 20 to 29
Twenty is galhia. Numbers 21-29 are formed by adding -erua to the digit root: ttuerua [21], chuperua [22], tsunnerua [23], ttaperua [24], gayuerua [25], xxuperua [26], gasierua [27], xxunuerua [28], jaerua [29].
Tens from 30 to 90
Thirty is rerua, forty chua, fifty tsieyona, sixty gayuna, seventy gayuna bixxi tsii, eighty tta, and ninety tta bixxi tsii. Seventy and ninety are formed by adding ten to the previous ten, e.g., gayuna bixxi tsii (70) and tta bixxi tsii (90).
Compound numbers from 31 to 69 and 81 to 89
These are formed by stating the ten, then bixxi, then the unit. For example, 42 is rerua bixxi chupa (30 + 12), and 66 is gayuna bixxi xxupa (60 + 6). When the units are 1, 7, or 8, the words are shortened: 51 is tsieyona bixxi ttu (51), and 58 is tta bixxi xxunu (58).
Hundreds
Hundreds are formed by placing the digit before gayua, e.g., chupa gayua [200], tsunna gayua [300], indicating multiples of twenty. The word gayua derives from 'gayu' (five), suggesting a contraction of five times twenty.
Unique features
Numbers 70 (gayuna bixxi tsii) and 90 (tta bixxi tsii) are formed by adding ten to the previous ten, showing a hybrid vigesimal-decimal pattern.
The number for eighty (tta) is a contraction of four times twenty, reflecting a vigesimal base with contraction, unlike pure decimal systems.
Compound numbers like 66 (gayuna bixxi xxupa) combine the tens, the word bixxi, and units, illustrating a flexible vigesimal system.
Hundreds are formed by prefixing the digit to gayua, which itself is derived from 'gayu' (five), indicating a contraction of five times twenty.
The language uses specific words for each number, but also shortens when forming compounds, such as tsieyona (50) becoming tsieyona bixxi ttu (51).
Cultural context
Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec is spoken in the Oaxaca region of Mexico, primarily by about 3,000 people. The community maintains rich cultural traditions, where numbers are integral in daily life, trade, and rituals. For example, counting livestock, offerings, or ages often uses traditional words. Certain numbers like 13 (si’intse) or 17 (tsini) may hold cultural significance, while larger numbers are rarely used outside formal contexts. The language’s vigesimal system reflects historical trade practices and indigenous mathematical concepts. The community values their language’s unique counting system as a cultural identity marker, and some numbers are considered auspicious or taboo, though specific details are scarce.
Fun facts
The number 70 (gayuna bixxi tsii) literally translates to 'sixty plus ten,' showing how the language constructs complex numbers.
Compared to Spanish, which is decimal, Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec’s use of vigesimal features makes it more similar to ancient Mayan counting systems.
The contraction of four times twenty into 'tta' for eighty is a linguistic shortcut that simplifies speech but retains vigesimal roots.
Historically, the use of vigesimal counting in this language might be linked to ancient trade or calendrical systems that emphasized twenty as a base.
Large numbers beyond 999 are not documented, but the pattern suggests potential for combining hundreds and thousands with similar vigesimal principles.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec?
1 - ttubi, 2 - chupa, 3 - tsunna, 4 - ttapa, 5 - gayu, 6 - xxupa, 7 - gasi, 8 - xxunu, 9 - jaa, 10 - tsii.
What number base does Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec use?
It primarily uses a vigesimal (base-20) system, evidenced by words like galhia (20), and the formation of 70 (gayuna bixxi tsii) and 90 (tta bixxi tsii) by adding ten to previous tens.
How do you say 42 in Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec?
42 is rerua bixxi chupa, combining 30 (rerua), bixxi, and 12 (chupa + tsii).
How do you say 100 in Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec?
100 is ttu gayua, formed by the digit 1 (ttu) before gayua, which means 'five times twenty.'
How many people speak Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec?
Approximately 3,000 speakers in Santa Ana Yareni, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Is Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the Zapotecan branch of the Oto-Manguean language family, sharing features with other Zapotec languages.
What makes Santa Ana Yareni Zapotec counting unique?
Its partial vigesimal system, especially how seventy and ninety are formed by adding ten to previous tens, and the contraction of four times twenty into 'tta' for eighty, are distinctive features.
Sources
- Let’s read the numbers (.pdf in Spanish)