Re: *a/*a: ablaut

On 2008-02-14 22:44, Richard Wordingham wrote:

> Actually, it has an unusual degree of symmetry. 4 vowel systems are
> usually more asymmetric. For yet more examples, we have the
> Proto-Austronesian system of /a, e, i, u/, and the Cree system, with
> length contrasts, of /a, e, i, o/. Indeed the latter system seems
> quite widespread in Canada.

Yes, I mentioned the fact that /a, e, i, u/ was more widespread than
systems with a central vowel (auditory salience probably plays a role
here). Actually, such a system may be preferable for pre-PIE if one
takes Ockham's Razor into account.

Piotr