Hi, all, Also, there we can reconstruct some Xianbi forms, and we can reconstruct something of other "Xianbeic" languages... for Tuoba (Tabgach), the language of the Northern Wei (386-534 C.E.), we can reconstruct around 14 or so words, for Tuyuhun (also known as 'A-zha) - around 5 words, and some scholars like to interpret the Shiwei clan name Mengwu (Early Middle Chinese *mewng-ngo) as the earliest occurrence of the name "Mongol" and evidence that the Mongols and Xianbei peoples both came from the Donghu (there are many assumptions involved in this hypothesis). In addition, the glossary of the Liao Annals (Ch. Liao Shi) lists a few Xi titles... one which seems to be cognate to Mongolic and Uygur törü 'law, power, order, regime, rule, government, state' (although titles are admittedly nearly useless in language classification). - Andrew Shimunek Pamela Crossley <[log in to unmask]> wrote: A recent discussion with Wei Yu Tan about his research on Kitan reconstruction, and what appear to be a surprising (to me) degree of Jurchen elements, has raised the question for me of how much work has been done on northern Manchurian languages before the 12th century Jurchens. Are there reconstructions or theoretical descriptions of Mohe? Just wondering how old these influence might be in Kitan. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com