Proto-Quechumaran: An Ethnolinguistic Note

Abstract

Similarities between two languages can come about in various ways: (1) by parallel but independent development; (2) by one language borrowing from the other (or even by mutual borrowing); and (3) by common genetic origin. Thus it has recognized for a long time that Quechua and of the Andes region of South America are remarkably similar in phonology and grammar parallel enough to make it probable that not (1) alone is correct but either (2) or (3). Consequently, this question has been debated since 1888 when Steinthal (462-64) affirmed that the two languages were genetically related and mutual exchange of loans was secondary. More recently, Jijon y Caamano (1943:604) has argued genetic relationship on the basis that the grammatical structure is fundamentally the same. On the other hand, Uhle (1912:604) recognized this grammatical parallelism but denied that there was any phonological relationship. Mason (1950:560) recognized both the grammatical and phonological parallelism but added that lexical roots seem to have little in common, except a large number, perhaps as much as one-fourth of the whole obviously related and probably borrowed by one or the other language. Hoijer (1946:27) is noncommittal: Aymara is said by some who have worked on it to be related to Quechua. No evidence of this has been published however.' McQuown (1955:561) says rather pointedly that ar-