Re: dating of aryans

----- Original Message -----
From: "Miguel Carrasquer Vidal" <miguelc@...>
To: <cybalist@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:18 AM
Subject: Re: [tied] Re: dating of aryans


> On Wed, 9 Apr 2008 22:58:58 -0500, "Patrick Ryan"
> <proto-language@...> wrote:
>
> >However, what is complex about the phonology of KhoiSan?
>
> I would consider having 140 phonemes (!Kung) rather complex.
>
> >I know it is fashionable to attribute equal portions of every measure to
> >all
> >languages and cultures but phonology should be an exception.
>
> Indeed, 20 to 40 phonemes is the average.
>
> >The consonantal system of KhoiSan is small;
>
> No it isn't.
>
> >the vowel system average
>
> What is "average" about: "There are 5 vowel qualities, /i e
> a o u/. However, these may be nasalized, glottalized,
> murmured, or combinations of these, and most of these
> possibilities occur both long and short. The qualities /a/
> and /o/ may also be pharyngealized and strident. Thus, there
> are a good 30 vowel phonemes, perhaps more, depending on
> one's analysis. There are, in addition, many vowel sequences
> and diphthongs."
>
>
> =======================
> Miguel Carrasquer Vidal
> miguelc@...

***

I prefer an analysis that regards these features as originally, at least,
non-phonemic:

e.g. you want [aN]; I prefer [a] + [N].


Patrick