Jua (know/predict): sol to pawl and the creation of replicas for predictability

 

In http://bitly.ws/Qden, we looked at predictability and gave a natural example in the signification of the sun. The primary symbol of predictability and permanence is the sun. In the equatorial zone (tropics), everybody knows that the sun will rise from the east at a particular time and position and set to the west at a particular time and position. The direction is one and constant and permanent. This natural phenomenon is not subject to the whims of any man. Nevertheless, man has developed miniature replicas of this and other natural phenomena to control his environment. The creator/controller of the replica controls how it functions. If another entity controls a replica, it could be an agent of subversion. We shall look at the imitation/replica of the sun’s predictability in the form of a gear and pawl. The pawl in a ratchet system is positioned to stop a gear wheel from moving in the opposite direction. It only allows movement in one direction albeit with much lesser efficiency because of friction and other factors.

Kiswahili

Jua - sun.

Jua - know.

Verbal derivations:

Applicative: -julia

Causative: -juza

Passive: -juliwa

Reciprocal: -juana

Stative: -julika

Nominal derivations:

ujuzi (“knowledge, experience”)

Zaniza Zapotec

The word jua also exists in Zaniza Zapotec language. It means soil, ground, earth in that language. Interestingly, the comparison in meaning of jua between Kiswahili and Zaniza Zapotec matches the comparison in meaning of sol between French and its progenitor Latin.  Zaniza Zapotec is an indigenous language of Oto-Manguean category spoken in western Oaxaca, Mexico. It is one of several Zapotec languages called Papabuco. It has only 10% intelligibility with Texmelucan Zapotec, its closest important relative. Unfortunately, as of 2003, the language had only about 400 fluent speakers.

Jua

1. earth

2. land

3. ground

4. soil

Latin

Sol

The etymology of “sol” goes very deep, but we shall look at examples from two languages closer to the Latin origins for the purpose of this post.

Galician

Etymology:

From Old Galician-Portuguese sol, from Latin sōl (“sun”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sóhwl̥.

Noun:

sol (plural soles)

1. sun

2. sunlight

3. sunny side (of a place)

4. daylight (the time between sunrise and sunset)

French

In French, Sol means “soil”

Etymology:

From Latin solum (“soil, ground, floor”).

Noun:

sol (plural sols)

1. soil, earth

2. ground

3. floor

 

Pawl

The etymology of pawl is represented in English for Germanic languages. In the case of Latin languages like French, the equivalent word is “detent”. A popular word from this is détente, meaning “relaxation”. Popular during the Eurasian wars to refer to “relaxation of tension”.

 

A ratchet mechanism featuring: a gear (1), and a pawl (2), mounted on a base (3).

pawl (plural pawls)

1. A pivoted catch designed to fall into a notch on a ratchet wheel (gear) so as to allow movement in only one direction (e.g., on a windlass or in a clock mechanism), or alternatively to move the wheel in one direction.

2. A similar device to prevent motion in other mechanisms besides ratchets.

Etymology

17th c., perhaps from Low German or Dutch pal (“catch mechanism”), or maybe from French pal (“stake”)

 

References

TUKI (2001), Kamusi Ya Kiswahili-Kiingereza; Swahili-English Dictionary. Published by Taasisi ya Uchunguzi wa Kiswahili (TUKI), Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.