Re: [tied] Sihler, Comparative grammar Greek and Latin

From: P&G
Message: 24700
Date: 2003-07-19

> To anyone, and Pete Gray. In reference to glottalized stops and
> laryngeal theory, how does this work differ from Buck's 1933
> classic? A mini review would be appreciated.

There is discussion of the glottalic theory on pages 137-8. He points out
that a re-interpretation of the phonetic value of the stops creates new
problems while it solves other problems. He says "It is impossible to infer
the phonetic value of the antecedent sounds with confidence" and "Apart
from observing that it seems unlikely that the PIE voiced aspirates were
literally voiced and aspirated, we will not attempt here to revise either
the reconstructed system of PIE stops, or the traditional notation."

That seems sensible, since his attention is really on Greek and Latin rather
than PIE.

On the laryngeals, however, a positive judgement must be made, since this
will affect our understanding of how Greek and Latin came to be what they
are. He devotes a short section to them, and PIE roots are regularly cited
with them throughout his book. He assumes three (because only three are
really necessary to explain Latin and Greek), but mentions other theories.

Peter