Re: [tied] PIE Word Formation Q&A (1)

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, Sean Whalen <stlatos@...> wrote:

> Also I think it's more likely that the first h2 in
> "duck" dissimilates to zero. There is no failure in *
> h1l.ngWHros > h1.ln.gWHros > elaphros.

Because in this word -- contrary to your suggestion -- the *n. was
syllabic already in PIE (it shows up as Skt. a, Gmc. un, etc., despite
the fact that the initial laryngeal is not syllabic in those
branches), and muta cum liquida syllabify together:

*h1ln.|gWHro-

Therefore, the first syllable is _light_, and the laryngeal stays.

> This is a
> unique or "arbitrary" dissimilation not a rule since *
> h1r.h1tmom > h1.rh1.tmom > eretmon.

Gk. ere is one of the developments of *-r.h1- even without an initial
laryngeal.

Piotr