Re: [tied] Depth, det, etc.

From: Piotr Gasiorowski
Message: 12830
Date: 2002-03-23

Hello, Jens,
 
What's your view about the origin of PGmc. *-iþo:? In some other branches de-adjectival nouns in *-tah2-(t-) the suffix is attached to the stem of the adjective (ending in *-o- if the adjective is thematic, cf. Slav. sle^po-ta, Gk. neo-te:s). Skt. nava-ta:, Latin novi-ta:s and Goth. niujiþa are of course ambiguous, each in a slightly different manner. My impression is that Gmc. *-iþo: might be a branch innovation (for "expected" *-aþo:) inspired by the predominant vocalism of other de-adjectival formations (diups --> diupis, diupista, diupei [diupiþa], diupjan).
 
The assumed change of gender in Albanian looks a bit arbitrary. I wonder if a connection could be established between hypothetical *dHeubetos and hydronyms like *seretos (the River Siret).
 
Piotr
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Jens Elmegaard Rasmussen
To: cybalist@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, March 23, 2002 3:30 PM
Subject: Re: [tied] Re: Daci

No, no, Alb. det 'sea' is identical with Eng. depth, Goth. diupitha, PGmc. /*deupitho:/, reflecting IE *dheub-etaH2; only the Alb. word is masculine. Perhaps the word was originally neuter, but was transferred to masc. gender before the beginning of the records.