This post is just a matter of speculation. Piotr did correct me in matters
where there were exceptions to my guess that languages become phonemically
simpler. It does indeed go both ways. I was only thinking that since the
second (or first) law of thermodymanics states that order breaks down toward
chaos.
I posted this on conlang the other day, so some of you might've seen this
already.
The three versions of Nostratic have their differences (especially in the
actual reconstructed roots, which leads me to some level of doubt concerning
Nost), but are for the most part the same. A similar phonology exists for
Proto-North Caucasian (according to Starostin), and common Salishan has a
similar sound inventory. Na-Dene languages aren't too much different if I'm
not mistaken. And Uto-Aztecan perhaps.
Here is my theory -- or more accurately wild guess -- as to what Proto-World
(or Proto-Language, or Noahite or Babelic perhaps):
Labials: p' p b (f v) m w
Dentals: t' t d (T D) n l
Alveolars: ts' ts dz s z r
Palatals: tS' tS dZ S Z j
Laterals: tl' tl dl lS lZ
Velars: k' k g (x G`) (N) (l~)
Uvulars: q' q G chi R
Pharyngeals: ?- h- 6
Glottals: ? h H
The schematic for each line is: stops (ejective voiceless voiced);
fricatives (voiceless voiced); nasal; approximant. Segments in parentheses
are allophones, regional variants, or just predictions of future phonemes in
language families/branches.
Vowels are much less stable than consonants, so it's hard to get a vowel
system pegged, but I guess thus:
i y u
e (@) o
& a (A)
There is no length distinction, but it doesn't take long for long vowels to
appear in numerous proto-families.
The floor is now open to discussion.
Danny Wier ����
Lufkin, Texas USA
http://communities.msn.com/dawier
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