Betreft: Re: k(w)->p

An example of the other way round (p>k_w) is in Iroquoian
Languages (they lack bilabial stops & nasals):
penny -> k_we:ni   etc.

>>> Vasiliy Chernov <bc_@...> 01/26 3:21  >>>
On Wed, 26 Jan 2000 08:07:14 -0500, Nik Taylor <fortytwo@...> wrote:

>Paul Bennett wrote:
>> k_w -> x_w -> W -> p\ -> p
>>
>> As to why the initial velar weakened in the first place, I leave that as
an
>> excersize for the reader,
>
>Is it a property of other voiceless stops?  Does /t/ become /s/ or /T/?
>If it's just in /k_w/ that the fricative weakens, it would seem pretty
>odd to me.
Why? You even needn't have /k/ > /x/.

E. g.: /k_w/ > /q_w/ (uvular) > ... oh, you can do funny things with
uvulars then ;)

In general, it seems that labials and velars/uvulars get fricativized
easier than dentals (Japanese, Tungus-Manchu, etc.).


Basilius