Numbers in Susu
sosoxui
Numbers in Susu follow a mixed base system combining elements of decimal and vigesimal structures. Spoken mainly in coastal Guinea and northern Sierra Leone, Susu has approximately one million speakers. Its counting system is unique, especially in how it constructs numbers beyond twenty. The language employs specific words for 1 to 9, with tens formed by combining 'tòngó' with the digit, and hundreds and thousands built by placing scale words after the number. This system reflects a blend of decimal and vigesimal features, making it distinct among West African languages. Understanding the numbers in Susu reveals insights into their culture and linguistic history.
Number system
Susu employs a hybrid counting system that combines decimal and vigesimal elements. Digits 1-9 are unique words: kérén [1], ̀fírín [2], sàxán [3], náání [4], súlí [5], sénní [6], sólófèré [7], sólómásàxán [8], sólómánáání [9]. Tens from thirty to ninety are formed by prefixing 'tòngó' to the digit: tòngó sàxán [30], tòngó náání [40], tòngó súlí [50], tòngó sénní [60], tòngó sólófèré [70], tòngó sólómásàxán [80], tòngó sólómánáání [90]. Twenty is a special word: m̀ɔx̀ɔǵɛŋ [20], and ten is fuú [10]. Numbers between ten and ninety are constructed by linking the tens and units with 'nŭn', e.g., fuú nŭn kérén [11], m̀ɔx̀ɔǵɛŋ nŭn sàxán [23], and tòngó sólómánáání nŭn súlí [95]. Hundreds are formed by placing the scale word 'k̀ɛḿɛ' after the digit, e.g., k̀ɛḿɛ [100], k̀ɛḿɛ ̀fírín [200], up to k̀ɛḿɛ sólómánáání [900]. Thousands are built similarly with 'wúlù', e.g., wúlù kérén [1,000], wúlù ̀fírín [2,000], etc. This pattern shows a clear combination of base-10 and base-20 elements, with specific words for key multiples and compound formations.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Digits 1-9
Numbers 1 to 9 are unique words: kérén [1], ̀fírín [2], sàxán [3], náání [4], súlí [5], sénní [6], sólófèré [7], sólómásàxán [8], sólómánáání [9]. For example, 4 is náání, and 7 is sólófèré.
Tens formation
Tens from 30 to 90 are formed by prefixing 'tòngó' to the digit: 30 is tòngó sàxán, 50 is tòngó súlí, 70 is tòngó sólófèré, 90 is tòngó sólómánáání. Twenty is a special word: m̀ɔx̀ɔǵɛŋ. For example, 60 is tòngó sénní.
Numbers 10 and 20
10 is fuú, and 20 is m̀ɔx̀ɔǵɛŋ. Numbers between 11 and 19 are formed by combining 'fuú nŭn' with the unit: 11 is fuú nŭn kérén, 15 is fuú nŭn súlí, 19 is fuú nŭn sólómánáání.
Compound numbers
Numbers between 21 and 99 are formed by linking tens and units with 'nŭn'. For example, 23 is m̀ɔx̀ɔǵɛŋ nŭn sàxán, and 78 is tòngó sólómásàxán nŭn sólófèré.
Hundreds
Hundreds are formed by placing the scale word 'k̀ɛḿɛ' after the digit: 100 is k̀ɛḿɛ, 200 is k̀ɛḿɛ ̀fírín, 300 is k̀ɛḿɛ sàxán, up to 900 as k̀ɛḿɛ sólómánáání.
Thousands
Thousands are formed by placing 'wúlù' after the digit: 1,000 is wúlù kérén, 2,000 is wúlù ̀fírín, 3,000 is wúlù sàxán, up to 9,000 as wúlù sólómánáání.
Unique features
Numbers 6-9 are formed by adding 'n' to the base words: 6 is sénní, 7 is sólófèré, 8 is sólómásàxán, 9 is sólómánáání, showing a pattern of suffix addition.
Unlike pure decimal systems, Susu combines vigesimal and decimal features, evident in the special word for 20 (m̀ɔx̀ɔǵɛŋ) and the formation of 30 as tòngó sàxán.
The use of 'nŭn' to connect tens and units is counter-intuitive compared to languages that use 'and' or similar conjunctions, e.g., m̀ɔx̀ɔǵɛŋ nŭn sàxán [23].
Large numbers like thousands are built by appending 'wúlù' after the digit, a pattern that simplifies counting beyond 1,000, unlike some languages that use entirely different words.
The word 'fuú' for 10 is borrowed from a broader West African context, indicating cultural exchanges and historical trade links.
Cultural context
The Susu people primarily inhabit coastal Guinea, northern Sierra Leone, and parts of Guinea Bissau, with a rich cultural heritage rooted in trade, agriculture, and traditional ceremonies. Numbers are integral to their daily life, from market transactions to rituals. The counting system reflects their historical interactions with neighboring cultures, blending decimal and vigesimal elements. Certain numbers, like 7 and 9, may hold cultural significance, but there are no known taboos associated with specific numbers. The language’s numerical structure also influences storytelling and oral traditions, emphasizing the importance of precise counting in social and economic contexts.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 95 in Susu is sólómánáání nŭn súlí, combining the word for 90 (tòngó sólómánáání) with 5 (súlí).
Fact 2: Unlike English, which is purely decimal, Susu’s use of vigesimal elements makes its counting system more similar to French or Yoruba in some aspects.
Fact 3: The pattern of adding 'nŭn' between tens and units resembles the structure in some Bantu languages, though Susu’s system is unique in its specific words.
Fact 4: Historically, Susu traders used their counting system to facilitate trade across different regions, which influenced the development of their number words.
Fact 5: Counting beyond 1,000 is not well documented in Susu, but the pattern suggests that larger numbers would likely continue using 'wúlù' with additional multipliers.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Susu?
1 is kérén, 2 is ̀fírín, 3 is sàxán, 4 is náání, 5 is súlí, 6 is sénní, 7 is sólófèré, 8 is sólómásàxán, 9 is sólómánáání, and 10 is fuú.
What number base does Susu use?
Susu uses a mixed vigesimal-decimal system. Evidence includes the special word for 20 (m̀ɔx̀ɔǵɛŋ) and the formation of 30 as tòngó sàxán, indicating base-20 elements combined with base-10 structures.
How do you say 42 in Susu?
42 is constructed as tòngó náání nŭn sàxán, meaning '30 plus 12', where 12 is fuú nŭn ̀fírín (10 plus 2).
How do you say 100 in Susu?
100 is k̀ɛḿɛ, and larger hundreds are formed by adding the digit after 'k̀ɛḿɛ', e.g., k̀ɛḿɛ ̀fírín for 200.
How many people speak Susu?
About one million people speak Susu, mainly in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Bissau.
Is Susu related to other languages?
Yes, Susu belongs to the Manding branch of the Western Mande family, related to languages like Mandinka and Bambara.
What makes Susu counting unique?
Its combination of decimal and vigesimal elements, especially the special words for 20 and the use of 'nŭn' to link tens and units, makes Susu counting system distinctive among West African languages.