Where does “ai” come from?
ai (Iban) comes from Proto-Malayic air, from Proto-Malayo-Chamic air, from Proto-Malayo-Sumbawan wair, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian wahiʀ — water.
ai (Iban): water
Ancestry of “ai”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Proto-Malayic | air | water |
| 2 | Proto-Malayo-Chamic | air | water |
| 3 | Proto-Malayo-Sumbawan | wair | water |
| 4 | Proto-Malayo-Polynesian | wahiʀ | water |