R: Re: religious terms

Nik wrote:

> Christophe Grandsire wrote:
> > > I've heard that the form "Dyo" could have developed because the "-s"
> > > sounded un-monotheistic, although it sounds like a folktale kind of
> > > explanation.
> >
> > Indeed. In French, the form is "Dieu" without -s (plural "dieux", but
the "x"
> > is not pronounced). Still, in French final /s/ became unpronounced very
early,
> > so that may not be the case in Ladino.
>
> Well, normally, nouns in West Romance are derived from the accusative
> form, which would've been _deum_.  Dio would be the expected evolution
> of _deum_.  Dios appears to be derived from the Latin nominative, tho I
> don't know why.
>
> What is it in Portuguese?  Is there a final -s or not?
Italian has indeed 'Dio', plural 'dei', caused by dissimilation, I suppose
(*dii would be the normal form), but it might be derived by latin (deus -
dei) as well as is the feminine form: dea - pl. dee.

Luca

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