Re: [tied] Scythian Cognates

This, however, would require us to propose a whole new IE branch, not closely akin to Iranian, Baltic, Slavic or Thracian (at least as we know it), since the forms in question are incompatible with the sound changes characteristic of those groups. Of course you are free to posit such a new branch, but you must call it something else, for Thracian or Thracoid it is not. Don't despise the modern "technical reconstructions"; like democracy, they may not be perfect, but there's nothing better in the reconstructive business. If we are able to talk about the IE family and its branches, reconstructible PIE, etc., it's thanks to the formal discipline that is de rigueur in historical linguistics.

Greetings,

Piotr

----- Original Message -----
From: george knysh

To: cybalist@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, December 24, 2001 3:28 PM

Subject: Re: [tied] Scythian Cognates

*****GK: The problem here of course is that we know next to nothing about the pronunciation system of Herodotus' informant(s),or about the dialectical peculiarities of the various Scythian speeches. We have to do the best we can with what Herodotus has recorded for us. Personally, I prefer his witness on this specific issue to the technical reconstructions of the 21rst century. The challenge here is not to reject him as incorrect but to see what might be hidden in (or behind) his statement. If that is too difficult then we just stay with what's there. Season's Greetings to all the "Oior" and "Oioirpata" (:=))