Numbers in Votic
vađđa ceeli or maa ceeli
Numbers in Votic follow a primarily decimal system with some unique features characteristic of its Finno-Ugric roots. Spoken in the villages of Krakolye and Luzhitsy in Ingria, Russia, by approximately 15 speakers, Votic's counting system is distinct and complex. It employs specific words for numbers 1 through 10, with compound formations for numbers beyond ten. The language's structure reveals a mixture of additive and multiplicative patterns, especially in forming tens and hundreds. This makes the numbers in Votic both fascinating and challenging to learn, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and linguistic uniqueness.
Number system
Votic uses a decimal system with specific words for 1 to 10, such as ühs [1], kahs [2], ke̮m [3], nällä [4], vīsi [5], kūsi [6], seitsē [7], kahe̮sā [8], ühesǟ [9], and tšümmē [10]. Numbers 11 to 19 are formed by adding the suffix -te̮·šše̮me̮tta to the digit words, e.g., ühste̮·šše̮me̮tta [11], kahste̮·šše̮me̮tta [12], ke̮mte̮·šše̮me̮tta [13], and so on. Tens are formed by adding the suffix -tšümmettä to the digit words, e.g., kahš́tš́ümmettä [20], ke̮mtšümmettä [30], and similarly for higher multiples. Compound numbers like 42 are formed by stating the ten first, then the digit, e.g., nellätšümmettä nällä [44], and 78 as seitsētšümmettä seitsē [78]. Hundreds are formed by combining the multiplier with 'sata' (hundred), e.g., kahsatā [200], ke̮msatā [300], up to ühesǟsatā [900]. Thousands are formed similarly with 'tuhaD' (thousand), e.g., kahstuhatta [2000], ke̮mtuhatta [3000], up to ühesǟtuhatta [9000].
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Counting from one to ten
Numbers 1 to 10 are unique words: ühs [1], kahs [2], ke̮m [3], nällä [4], vīsi [5], kūsi [6], seitsē [7], kahe̮sā [8], ühesǟ [9], tšümmē [10].
Forming numbers 11 to 19
Numbers 11 to 19 are created by adding -te̮·šše̮me̮tta to the digit words, e.g., ühste̮·šše̮me̮tta [11], kahste̮·šše̮me̮tta [12], ke̮mte̮·šše̮me̮tta [13], and so on.
Forming tens
Tens are formed by adding -tšümmettä to the digit words, e.g., kahš́tš́ümmettä [20], ke̮mtšümmettä [30], nellätšümmettä [40], etc.
Constructing compound numbers
Numbers between 21 and 99 are formed by stating the ten, then the digit, e.g., kahš́tš́ümmettä kahe̮sā [28], nellätšümmettä nällä [44], seitsētšümmettä seitsē [78].
Hundreds
Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'sata' with no space, e.g., kahsatā [200], ke̮msatā [300], up to ühesǟsatā [900].
Thousands
Thousands are formed similarly, with the multiplier before 'tuhaD', e.g., kahstuhatta [2000], ke̮mtuhatta [3000], up to ühesǟtuhatta [9000].
Unique features
Votic uses a suffix -te̮·šše̮me̮tta for numbers 11–19, e.g., ühste̮·šše̮me̮tta [11], which is unique among Finno-Ugric languages.
The formation of tens with -tšümmettä, as in kahš́tš́ümmettä [20], shows a vigesimal influence, but it is primarily decimal.
Numbers like 42 (nellätšümmettä nällä) combine a tens suffix with a digit, illustrating a clear additive pattern.
Large numbers up to 9,999 are formed by combining the multiplier with 'sata' or 'tuhaD', but beyond that, data is lacking, indicating a predominantly decimal system.
The word for 1,000, tuhaD, is borrowed from a Slavic or Baltic influence, reflecting historical contact.
Cultural context
Votic is spoken by a small community in Ingria, Russia, with about 15 speakers remaining. The community's culture is deeply rooted in traditional rural life, with numbers playing a role in trade, rituals, and storytelling. Due to the small speaker base, numbers are often used in cultural preservation efforts. There are no known taboo or lucky numbers explicitly documented, but the language's limited use makes each number a cultural artifact. The counting system reflects a blend of indigenous Finno-Ugric features and external influences, showcasing resilience and cultural identity.
Fun facts
The word for 15, vīste̮·šše̮me̮tta, literally combines 'vīsi' (5) with the suffix for 10, illustrating the additive pattern.
Unlike many Finno-Ugric languages that are purely decimal, Votic's use of -tšümmettä for tens hints at a possible influence from vigesimal systems.
The formation of numbers like 78 (seitsētšümmettä seitsē) demonstrates a regular pattern of combining tens and units, similar to Finnish but with unique suffixes.
Historically, the Votic language has preserved archaic features, including its counting system, which may date back centuries.
Votic can theoretically count beyond 9,999, but due to lack of data, the pattern for larger numbers remains unknown, hinting at a potential for more complex systems.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Votic?
1 – ühs, 2 – kahs, 3 – ke̮m, 4 – nällä, 5 – vīsi, 6 – kūsi, 7 – seitsē, 8 – kahe̮sā, 9 – ühesǟ, 10 – tšümmē.
What number base does Votic use?
Votic uses a decimal (base-10) system, evidenced by the formation of numbers like kahš́tš́ümmettä [20], ke̮mtšümmettä [30], and the pattern of combining tens and units.
How do you say 42 in Votic?
42 is nellätšümmettä nällä: 'nellätšümmettä' (40) plus 'nällä' (2).
How do you say 100 in Votic?
100 is 'sata'. Hundreds are formed by placing the multiplier before 'sata', e.g., kahsatā [200], ke̮msatā [300].
How many people speak Votic?
Approximately 15 speakers remain, primarily in the villages of Krakolye and Luzhitsy in Ingria, Russia.
Is Votic related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the Uralic family, specifically the Finno-Ugric branch, related to Finnish, Estonian, and Karelian.
What makes Votic counting unique?
Its use of the suffix -te̮·šše̮me̮tta for 11–19 and the suffix -tšümmettä for tens are distinctive features, combining decimal and vigesimal influences in a rare way among Finno-Ugric languages.
Sources
- Votian numerals