Question

Refer to the Comparison Chart. In looking at the related forms meaning 3, which language differs most from the other 5?

English French Latin Celtic Greek Sanskrit
three trois tres tri treis tri
seven sept septem secht hepta sapta
mother mere mater mathair meter matar
night nuit noct-, nox ---- nykt, nyx nakta
French
Celtic
Greek
English
Latin
Sanskrit

Answer 1

To determine which language differs most from the others based on the Comparison Chart you provided, we can analyze the related forms for meaning 3 (mother):

- **English**: mother
- **French**: mere
- **Latin**: mater
- **Celtic**: mathair
- **Greek**: meter
- **Sanskrit**: matar

From this list, we can see that the term "mother" varies in its form across the languages.

- French ("mere") is somewhat similar in sound to the English form.
- Latin ("mater") has a very different structure but is etymologically related.
- Celtic ("mathair") also stands out with a distinct form.
- Greek ("meter") has a similar sound pattern but is in a different language family.
- Sanskrit ("matar") is phonetically different yet shares roots in the Indo-European family.

Among these, "mere" (French) is a substantial phonetic deviation, while "mater," "mathair," "meter," and "matar" retain a similar root vowel/consonant structure.

Thus, based on the linguistic characteristics and forms, **French** (mere) appears to differ most from the others.