T. H. (Trinidad Hermenegildo) Pardo de Tavera
Consideraciones Sobre el Origen del Nombre de los Números en Tagalog
"Consideraciones Sobre el Origen del Nombre de los Números en Tagalog" by Don T. H. Pardo de Tavera is a scholarly publication written in the late 19th century. This work focuses on the linguistic origins and meanings of the names of numbers in the Tagalog language, providing insights into their historical and etymological roots, especially in the context of related languages within the Austronesian family. In this book, Pardo de Tavera conducts an exploration into the words used for numbers in Tagalog, tracing their origins back to other Austronesian languages and even suggesting connections to non-native languages like Arabic and Sanskrit. He argues that the Tagalog numbering system has evolved from more basic forms of counting, grounded in physical objects and concepts like the hand. Through detailed analysis, he illustrates how numbers like 'five' (limá) directly correlate not only to the count of fingers but also to ancient linguistic roots and societal needs for quantification. By delving deep into the meanings and uses of numerical terms, the author lays the groundwork for future linguistic studies on this topic, recognizing both the simplicity and complexity of numerical representation in human culture.