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Do the Iberian elements ban, bi(n), lau(r) and the rest denote numbers?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of Is Iberian related to Basque?·3 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: the elements are numerals, as shown by their contexts next to numeral signs, in compounds and on metrological…Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. The elements are numerals, as shown by their contexts next to numeral signs, in compounds and on metrological… leads, with evidence 2 for: supported by its tests. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

The numeral list carries most of the weight of the Basque comparison, so its internal support matters on its own⁠[1]⁠[2].

Answers 3

Evidence: 2 for
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Evidence: 1 for
Disputed

History

  1. Ferrer i Jané puts forward: the elements are numerals, as shown by their contexts next to numeral signs, in compounds and on metrological…
  2. Ferrer i Jané & Escrivà Torres: a lead sheet from Casinos carries lexical numerals and metrological expressions.For: The elements are numerals, as shown by their contexts next to numeral signs, in compounds and on metrological…
  3. Moncunill Martí & Velaza Frías puts forward: the elements are pronouns, name elements or other short words whose resemblance to Basque numerals is…
  4. Moncunill Martí & Velaza Frías: compounds such as oŕkeikelaur (MLH D.12.1) fit the numeral reading.For: The elements are numerals, as shown by their contexts next to numeral signs, in compounds and on metrological…
  5. Moncunill Martí & Velaza Frías: short elements such as ban, baŕ, baś, bin have also been proposed as pronominal forms whose values are…For: The elements are pronouns, name elements or other short words whose resemblance to Basque numerals is…
  6. Asked on this site
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