Re: dating of aryans

On Wed, 9 Apr 2008 22:58:58 -0500, "Patrick Ryan"
<proto-language@...> wrote:

>However, what is complex about the phonology of KhoiSan?

I would consider having 140 phonemes (!Kung) rather complex.

>I know it is fashionable to attribute equal portions of every measure to all
>languages and cultures but phonology should be an exception.

Indeed, 20 to 40 phonemes is the average.

>The consonantal system of KhoiSan is small;

No it isn't.

>the vowel system average

What is "average" about: "There are 5 vowel qualities, /i e
a o u/. However, these may be nasalized, glottalized,
murmured, or combinations of these, and most of these
possibilities occur both long and short. The qualities /a/
and /o/ may also be pharyngealized and strident. Thus, there
are a good 30 vowel phonemes, perhaps more, depending on
one's analysis. There are, in addition, many vowel sequences
and diphthongs."


=======================
Miguel Carrasquer Vidal
miguelc@...