From the analysis of the place-names recorded in the classical sources
for the Adriatic region (let's say from the Cunarus mons to the Garganus
mons), I could be able to suggest the existence of a linguistic stratum
mainly characterized by a stop shift similar to that of Anatolian,
Germanic, Thracian, etc. That is, the PIE voiced stops *b,d,g went into
voiceless p,t,k. This stratum can be distinguished from (more recent)
Eastern-Italic (Osco-Umbrian) also for the preservation of aspirated
voiced stops. Some example I think I've found are:
In
Samnium Terventum and
*Atessa and
*Treste fl. and
*Trinius fl. and
Aternus fl. and
*Tirinus fl. for the shift *d>t,
Buca for the shifts *bh>b and
*g>k. Possibly (if not Daunian) also
Duronia for the shift *dh>d,
Aquilonia for the preservation of
*kw
In
Picenum Cupra and
Cupra Montana and
Pausulae for the shift *b>p,
Tolentinum and
Truentus fl. and
Matrinus fl. for the shift *d>t.
Possibly (if not Western Italic, i.e., Proto-Latin) also
Albula fl. and
Beregra, for the shift *bh>b
I called this stratum "Picene", like the only Adriatic people
that did not belong with certainty to the Sabellian stock. If you want,
you can have more details in
http://digilander.libero.it/toponomastica/samnium.html
and
http://digilander.libero.it/toponomastica/picenum.html
I wonder if someone is interested in the discussion of such names and
of my "theory".
Best regards
Antonio Sciarretta
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