Why does 7 not exist in Jawa arithmetic?

Question

According to Wookieepedia, in Jawaese, the native language of the Jawa species from Tatooine, the number 7 simply doesn't exist.

Counting in Jawaese:

1 Po
2 Ko
3 Kyo
4 Yo
5 Dyo
6 Lyo
7 Does not exist in Jawa arithmetic
8 Ho
9 To
10 Kisewa
100 Gakisewa
1000 Hakisewa
100,000,000 Jo jo muma

Does anyone know the secret that lies behind this?

If they had six fingers it could be becasue they count in base six - but they don't... Makes no sense — user11154, Feb 19, 2013 at 17:31
I give up for now. Every place discussing the issue just copied Wiki info; Burtt himself doesn't seem to have any clear means of contacting him, and this logic probably originated with him as the author of the book @Michael mentioned. Great question!!! — DVK-on-Ahch-To, Feb 19, 2013 at 17:39
I still can't get past the fact that Jo jo muma's so big... — Iszi, Feb 19, 2013 at 21:17

DavidW · Accepted Answer · 2020-03-06 22:10:28Z

6

There's no real indication that a count that we would represent as '7' doesn't exist in 'Jawa' arithmetic.

The quoted Wookieepedia article is using this as a source.

That source is not reasonably sourcing any indication of the numbering, or the reason of the lack of '7'.

DavidW

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answered Feb 23, 2013 at 5:56

Solemnity

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according the wookipedia article about the author of that book: "He has created many of the languages heard in Star Wars—most of which are marked by shared etymological roots with English—and has written the Galactic Phrase Book and Travel Guide". And if this is true, than that book is pretty canonical.
– Igor Milla
Feb 23, 2013 at 17:36
who's 'he' and which book?
– Solemnity
Feb 25, 2013 at 2:36
sorry, it's from the comments under the question. The book — [Galactic Phrase Book & Travel Guide] (Galactic Phrase Book & Travel Guide). This book mentioned as a resource for the article about Jawa language. And "he" is an author of that book. But, yes, there is no prove that the info originally from him, and his book
– Igor Milla
Feb 25, 2013 at 9:08

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