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In 1717, Swedish King Charles XII found himself captivated by the octal system, a method of counting based on eight rather than the more common decimal system based on ten. He deemed it more convenient, a fascination that invites us to explore the linguistic underpinnings of numerical systems through a Kartvelian lens. Consider the French word for “eight”: huit, pronounced [wit]. Now, turn to the Megrelian language, where wit (ვით) means “ten.” At first glance, this coincidence of “eight” and “ten” across languages seems perplexing—how can two distinct numbers share the same word? The Between Two Iberias project offers a compelling explanation, one that bridges numerical systems and linguistic evolution.

The key lies in the transition between counting systems—specifically, the shift from an octal to a decimal framework, or vice versa. In this context, the word wit does not denote a fixed number but rather the base of the system itself. In an octal system, the base is eight, while in a decimal system, it is ten. Thus, wit in French (huit, “eight”) may reflect an ancient octal tradition, while in Megrelian (wit, “ten”), it aligns with the decimal system prevalent in Kartvelian languages. The shared term wit suggests a linguistic memory of a time when numerical bases were fluid, and the same word could signify the foundational number of the system in use—eight in one cultural context, ten in another. This hypothesis posits that wit originally referred to the concept of a counting base, its meaning shifting as societies adopted different numerical frameworks.

Further evidence of this numerical kinship emerges when we compare the counting systems of Georgian and French, which reveal striking structural similarities. In both languages, the number “80” is expressed as “four times twenty”: in French, quatre-vingts (literally “four twenties”), and in Georgian, otkhmotsi (ოთხმოცი), from otkh (“four”) and otsi (“twenty”), meaning “four twenties.” This vigesimal (base-20) structure, rare among global languages, hints at a shared linguistic heritage, possibly rooted in ancient Kartvelian influence on Indo-European systems. The alignment of wit across French and Megrelian, combined with these parallel counting methods, suggests that Kartvelian languages may have played a pivotal role in shaping numerical terminology across cultures, their roots stretching deep into the ancient world.

This exploration of wit and its numerical implications underscores the broader mission of Kartvelology: to uncover the hidden threads of Kartvelian influence that weave through global languages and cultures. The coincidence of “eight” and “ten” is not a mere linguistic curiosity but a window into the fluidity of ancient counting systems, where a single term could adapt to the needs of its speakers. As we delve deeper into Kartvelian etymologies, let this numerical nexus remind us of the profound connections that link Sakartvelo to the wider world, revealing a legacy of innovation that transcends borders and centuries.