-hi, -mi

Everyone tries to figure out what it is with Hittite hi-conjugation,
perfect, middle, 1st sg. thematic -oH: how come they look related?
what is the way in which they are related semantically?

Jasanoff does an excellent job of showing that the hi-conjugation
was much wide-spread earlier and that the mi-conjugation has expande
on its expense.

One might think the idea to its conclusion: suppose the mi-
conjugation is an innovation?

In that case it is just as futile searching for the semantic
contiguity of hi-conjugation, perfect, middle, 1st sg. thematic -oH:
as it is to search for the geographical and historical contiguity of
the kentum languages, and for the same reason: they are relics. If
you are looking for contiguity, you shold be looking at the mi-
conjugation or the satem languages. Looking for it in the hi-
conjugation and the kentum languages is a waste of time.


Comments?



Torsten