Ruatu

[John Lynch]

I am wondering whether anyone knows an etymology of the West Futuna word
/ruetu/ 'north wind' (which occurs in some compounds for other northerly
winds as /ret-/, /retu-/ and /ruot-/). I can find no reference in POLLEX.

This term has been borrowed into Aneityum and the Tanna languages with the
same meaning, and into the Erromangan languages and, surprisingly, Nguna,
with the meaning 'east wind'.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

John Lynch

____________________________________________
John Lynch
Professor of Pacific Languages and Pro-Vice Chancellor
Emalus Campus, University of the South Pacific
PMB 072
Port Vila, Vanuatu

Phone:   +678 22748
Fax:       +678 22633
Email:     lynch_j at vanuatu.usp.ac.fj