Re: Syllable-Initial /N/

Nik writes:

>Christophe Grandsire wrote:
>>  Well, it all depends on whether you want to go for exoticness
>>(from a European
>>  point of view) or not. If so, take [N] (your NG) and allow it at
>>the beginning
>>  of syllables :)) . If not, [w] will do :)) .
>
>Ivetsian, a descendant of Uatakassi, has lots of syllable-initial /N/,
>because of a sound change that caused /g/ to become /N/ in most
>environments.  I haven't figured out exactly which environments, or what
>happened to the other instances of /g/ if there are restrictions.  I do
>know that /g/ does not exist in Ivetsian (altho [g] may well exist as an
>allophone of /k/).
>
>/N/ in non-English positions can be fun.  :-)  It's a great way to make
>an alien-sounding word without hard sounds.  :-)  Like, take gazh
>(/NaZ/), the word for "world" in Ivetsian.
/N/ is quite common initially in Géarthnuns, the most common examples
of which are "ngareth" /"NarET/, "nine", and "ngamaz" /"Namaz/, "to
say" (/NaZ/ would make a *great* word in Géarthnuns). Syllabic nasals
also occur. And, gee, as I'm told, this lang has a Euro tinge to it.

Kou

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