Re: Velar vs Uvular (was: Verdict on Mann)

From: stlatos
Message: 62027
Date: 2008-12-12

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "stlatos" <stlatos@...> wrote:

> --- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, Piotr Gasiorowski <gpiotr@> wrote:

> > I prefer to keep an open mind as regards the phonetic details. I
> believe
> > it's likely that *k was a uvular and *k^ a plain velar at least at
some
> > pre-PIE stage. However, even in PIE itself, the *k-series dorsals
seem
> > to have triggered a-colouring quite frequently, as if they had
> patterned
> > with *h2. This happened even to the final vowel of thematic stems
when
> > extended with the suffix *-ko- (note the absence of Brugmann's Law in
> > Skt. -a-ka-, pointing to *-a-ko-). I wouldn't expect such influence
> from
> > a plain velar.

> I disagree. In Khowar plain velars changed o > a or prevented a > A
> (low back V) > O > o, as in *sxàL+ > *s.àl > s.òr 'salty', *n+ >
> *uns.xàl+ > wexàl 'unsalty'.
>
> I believe h2 = x in PIE and caused e/o > a simply because both are
> pronounced with the tongue in approximately the same position.


Also, note that when Khowar x came from r (likely from uvular R > X)
there was no o > a:

Skt *varta- 'round stone' > bòxt 'stone, rock' (compare Skt vat.a-
'round ball, globule' for recon.)

Skt kampra- 'shaking' > kambòx 'branch'


The change r > R > X > x by a stop can also be seen in:


Skt úttara- > *utrà > *uRtà+ì > uxtì 'in front'

possibly the same met. in:

Skt us.t.ra- *uRs.t.à > ut. 'camel'

if needed to explain the loss of s. and r


Considering the sequence needed to get uxtì, if met. is common with
C+r or obligatory to correct new clusters after syncope, it seems that:

Skt u:s.ará- > *u:s.rà > s.urà 'saltpeter'


úttara ... udaká ... u:s.ará
úttarà ... udaká` .. u:s.ará` fit into Kh. tone system
uttarà ... udaká` .. u:s.ará`
uttarà ... udakà ... u:s.arà
uttarà ... uDagà ... u:s.arà
utarà .... uDagà ... u:s.arà
utrà ..... uDgà .... u:s.rà
utRà ..... uDGà .... u:s.rà
utR` ..... uDG` .... u:s.rà C+son. can't be w-final
ùtR ...... ùDG ..... u:s.rà tone without V moves back
ùtR ...... ùG ...... u:s.rà
ùRt ...... ùG ...... u:s.rà met.
ùRt ...... ùG ...... s.u:rà met.
ùXt ...... ùG ...... s.u:rà

etc.