Knut:

>The problem is the development of logical function, and in this
>case several functions. Before such a feature could spread, this
>terminal - o-needs time to develope logical meanings, and grammatical
>functions.

I think the _real_ problem is that you assume that the thematic
vowel actually had a specific meaning at all. It didn't, and I
defy you to come up with this supposed "meaning" that satisfies
its incredibly diverse morphological usage. Given that last
fact, I think it's far more reasonable that the thematic vowel is
something that spread due to analogical spread, and probably from
various sources.

In the case of the present conjugation, we agree that this is the
least troublesome theory. Even concerning nouns, again, a genitive
origin seems most decent compared to the lesser alternative of
thoroughly unproven "definite adjectives".

>Yes, I agree that this prosess has taken place in the way you
>describe, for very many nouns. Since I do not have any clear meaning of
>when this took place, I cannot argue against your proposal for the time
>period.

I use my understanding of influences from neighbouring languages
(Semitish, Tyrrhenian), thoughts on the origins of IE given
by Bomhard, and general correlations with archaeology, in order
to accurately date these changes. Insisting on dividing the
development of IE into three stages of a thousand years each as
well as taking note of the _order_ of these changes also
helps to more accurately date things.

>But, had neccessarily all words a penultimate stress?

I go by Occam's Razor. Unless there is reason to assume a more
complex stress pattern, I opt for a regular accent. Penultimate
stress explains so well the strange accent alternations, and is
woven so tightly together with Vocalic Constraint Theory (MIE
*a could only be stressed) and Mid IE Velar Allophony (*k/*k^
caused by vocalism differences) that I cannot see any other option.

>My basic Idea is simply that not all nouns had penultimate stress
>during this period. For some nouns the stress pattern protected
>the second wovel of the root, and this protected wovel developed
>into the thematic wovel.

Erh... but it was the _penultimate accentuation_ that protected
the thematic vowel. Ex: MIE *b�re-m "I carry" versus *ber�-mes
"we carry" (Late IE *bh�ro: and *bh�romes). The accent was later
regularized to the initial syllable on thematic verbs and nouns
in the Late IE period.

- love gLeN


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