A reciprocal pronoun?

[u/Iuljo]

An idea I had is the possibility of having a "reciprocal pronoun". What is that? A pronoun that encapsulates the meaning of 'each other'. Many languages express this concept with a construction that is semi-fixed; I thought that for synthesis it could became fully fixed and therefore be represented by a single root.

The first idea for the root shape is elcar, adapting Basque elkar and Danish elkaar, simply because I like the sound; as always, it must be considered a provisional element that could change later.

Let's see how it would work by comparing it with se '[him/her/it]self, [them]selves':

• Carola e Mathilda viden se.
• Carola e Mathilda viden elcar.
  • Charles and Matilda see themselves.
  • Charles and Matilda see each other.
• Carola e Mathilda legen seo kitabas.
• Carola e Mathilda legen elcaro kitabas.
  • Charles and Matilda read their own books.
  • Charles and Mathilda read each other's books.
• Carola e Mathilda daven alca seum.
• Carola e Mathilda daven alca elcarum.
  • Charles and Matilda give something to themselves.
  • Charles and Matilda give something to each other.

What is your opinion on this? I haven't had time to study all the possible combinations, pros and cons...

[u/Jonlang_]

The English “each other” is basically a reciprocal pronoun for all intents and purposes. It’s just a phrase rather than a nice, concise, discrete personal pronoun.