k, c, q

--- In cybalist@..., "P&G" <petegray@...> wrote:

> > H. Møller:
> >....also points out that /K/ was used before /a/ in older Latin.

This

> >might reflect that this velar was actually separate from -c- and
> >-q(u)-
>
> The oldest Latin we have is:
> Praenestine fibula (may be a fake) - no CA or KA
> a boustrophdedon inscription from the forum with CE, KA and KR
> The Duenos inscription with CA The letter K does not occur.
> One of the later Scipio inscriptions also shows -KA-
>
> This is not really a firm basis for establishing spelling rules,

let alone

> the suggestion that written <C> and <K> were pronounced differently.
>
> Peter

Agreed. On the other hand, your argument could lead us to believe
that the Romans pronounced /v/ for /u/ and /i/ for /j/, since those
letters came into use much later.
Also, for what it's worth, according to Bonfante's "The Etruscan
Language": "For the sound /k/ ... they [Etruscans] used three
signs: /k/ before /a/ (<ka>); /c/ before /e/ and /i/ /<ce>, <ci>);
and /q/ before /u/ (<qu>)." The earlier inscriptions might have
ignored the finer points of pronunciation.

Torsten