Not _absolutely_ impossible, just many
times less probable than change in the reverse direction (intervocalic lenition
of consonants is a highly natural process). Do you know of any well-documented
examples of -r- > -t-? Intervocalic voicing of *-t- (with -d- as well as -r-
or -l- as the end product) is demonstrable for many African
languages.
I don't question the possibility of AN
migration(s) towards Africa. We have Malagasy in Madagascar, of course, but that
was a pretty recent event (the position of Malagasy in the Malayo-Polynesian
branch is securely established and so is the approximate date of its separation
from its closest relatives).
Piotr
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 3:17 PM
Subject: [nostratic] Re: Afro-Austronesian numerals ?
I think I finally agree with you. A pity indeed.
But
are you really serious that eg. *r (> *d) > *t is
impossible?
Torsten
To
unsubscribe from this group, send an email
to:
nostratic-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Your use of
Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.