Written Manchu šumin ‘deep’

Abstract

The main goal of this paper is to discuss the etymology of Written Manchu šumin ‘deep’ (§§1.1–1.3.1). This word is usually connected with Ewenki suŋta ‘deep’ (§2.1.1). Benzing and Doerfer proposed partial solutions to account for the obvious irregularities existing between one and another form (for starters, irregular sound correspondences š- vs. s-, -m- vs. -ŋt-, etc.). Though reasonable and to some degree plausible, such a proposals still need some refinement (§2.1.2). Additional explanations shall be provided with regard to Jurchen data (§§1.3.2–1.3.3), general Tungusic derivational morphology (§2.1.3), and external comparisons (§§2.2.1–2.2.2).