Re: [tied] Re: the glottalic theory

----- Original Message -----
From: Jens Elmegaard Rasmussen
To: cybalist@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2002 6:22 PM
Subject: RE: [tied] Re: the glottalic theory

> ... I do not believe Icelandic (etc.) preaspiration has anything to do with glottalization ...

> ... Therefore, I cannot accept the glottalic theory for PIE ...

I can't buy the theory that the glottalisation of postvocalic or intervocalic voiceless stops in English is an ancient phenomenon. The near-absence of glottalisation from "extraterritorial Englishes" (not only North American English but also, more surprisingly, Australian English, with is otherwise para-Estuarine phonetics) suggests that it became widespread very recently, perhaps during the 19th century. A hundred years ago it was reportedly more common in Scotland and northern England than, say, in London.

Piotr