Re: Gaulish phonology?

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

> 'Nother question on phonology. :)
>
> I was wondering your opinion on the Gaulish phonology proposed by
> Christopher Gwinn at
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/continentalceltic/message/2517
> (I am particularly curious about the vowels.)
>
> For those not subscribed to that group, it reads:
>
> "

<Snip>
(note that

> I am using American English examples here, which I suppose makes a
> big difference when it comes to vowels - I could definitely use

some

> help in this section).

> OCCLUSIVES:
> p - as in English

I think one could equally well say 'as in Latin'.

> b - as in English - may be susceptible to lenition, sometimes

confused

> with -m- in writing

Possibly then as in Spanish - otherwise I'd say it was equally
accurate to say as in Latin (which underwent its own lenition in the
West.)

> SHORT VOWELS
> a - as in "cup"
> e - as in "fell"
> i - as in "pit"
> o - as in "rot:
> u - as in "foot"
> LONG VOWELS
> a: - as in "father"
> e: - as in "made"
> i: - as in "feel"
> o: - as in "road"
> u: - as in "rude"

I think he simply means as in Latin - I don't think he's implying
any diphthongal develoments.

Richard.