Re: [tied] Re: IE prefix "*s"

Alexandru:

>The s-mobile, a very common phenomenon, has been characterized by
>IEists as imparting no particular meaning to the verbs it begins; a
>meaning that would be nearly undetectable is a simple causative
>nuance, particularly if the causative was allowed reflexive use.

It's so undetectable as you say, that not even a causitive meaning can
be easily imparted to it. Causitives are in *-eye- and appear to actually
be detectable. So your idea doesn't work.

And again, it's Proto-Semitic that has *s-causitives.

>The s-mobile, so-called because it can be removed without apparent
>semantic change, should not be confused with another IE prefixed
>formative, su-, which is simply the IE element su/u:-, "well, good"`,

I would hope not. It's *?su- (or *h1su-) with an initial laryngeal.


= gLeN

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