Re: Language naming (again)

Daniel Andreasson wrote:
>
> Although my favourite is "chichimecatl" (lang name "Chichimeca") which means "lineage of dogs" :D
>
Alas, this is an all too common folk etymology.  To quote from Fran
Kartunnen's Nahuatl dictionary (let us bow in reverence), "By its vowel
length it is clearly not derived from the words for 'dog', 'rags,
patches', or 'bitter'.  It is possibly derivationally related to CHICHI
'to suckle'." BTW, there are macrons over the I's in CHICHI.  Other
sources suggest that it just means 'chichimec'.  There is a language
called Chichimec, Otomian I believe, but I don't know their self
designation.
--
Brad Coon
hawksinger@fwi.com
http://www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/everquest/624 (Conlang pgs.)
http://www.ipfw.indiana.edu/east1/coon/web/index.htm (home pg. et al.)
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/7264 (outdoor and prim.skills)
http://members.tripod.com/~Hawksinger  (wine and whisky pgs)

Civilize the mind and make savage the body. (Chinese proverb)