Fortis and Lenis in Germanic

von Gerda I. Alexander

184 Seiten, Taschenbuch

Kurzbeschreibung des Verlags

This study represents a bold reanalysis of the phonemic system of Germanic consonants. The accepted primary voiced-voiceless phonemic contrast is replaced by fortis-lenis, whose origin is projected back into Proto-Germanic. It is proposed to view the Germanic consonant shift as the result of lenition in Gmc. /b d g f X s X/ and of strengthening of articulation in Gmc. /p t k/. Voice and spirantization are characteristic of the lenis members, whereas voicelessness and extraduration are characteristic of fortis. This concept, backed by orthographic, comparative and acoustic phonetic data, supplies not only a simpler and more plausible development into the daughter languages, but also provides a common element in the explanation of the First and Second Sound Shift.

• Reihe: American University Studies
• ISBN: 9780820400280
• Sprache: Englisch
• Erscheinungsdatum: 31.12.1983
• Größe: 21 x 14.8 cm
• Verlag: Peter Lang Publishing Inc. New York