--- In
cybalist@yahoogroups.com, Miguel Carrasquer <mcv@...> wrote:
> On Sat, 09 Jul 2005 19:46:59 -0500, Patrick Ryan
> <proto-language@...> wrote:
> > "Easier to pronounce" - is that what you think motivates metathesis?
> Yes.
Some toing and froing patterns suggest other reasons can apply -
Proto-Germanic *aisko:jan > OE _a:scian_, _a:csian_ > ME _asshe_,
_axe_, _axy_. Modern English _ask_ derives from OE _a:csian_; the
second metathesis had occurred by 1200.
Old English metathesis of /r/ and vowels seems fairly free - Modern
English _third_ for OE _þridda_, but _thresh_ for þerscan.
Richard.