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Re: hello?

From:vardi <vardi@...>
Date:Friday, March 26, 1999, 6:45
Danny Wier wrote:
>
[...]
> > By the way, how many natlang examples can be found of the shift n > l? > I can think of Afro-Asiatic, where Egyptian n often corresponds to > Semitic l, and maybe cases in Latin where there's assimilation. I'm > asking because I just revised the rules of mutation of Tech m, n, N > (retroflex n), n~ (palatal n), and ng. They are nasal versions of w, l, > r, y, and H (voiced h) respectively. >
Welcome back Danny! I've gone into lurk mode recently, but to show my joy at your return - I'm deigning to answer your question :) The shift n > l is an ancient and well-known phenomenon in my part of the world (Israel/Palestine in all their past, present and future names). For example, in Jerusalem there is a neighborhood called MalHa. This is the name of the Arab village that stood on that site for many centuries. The name comes from the Biblical place name ManaHat, with the n > l shift (as well as the t > a shift at the end of feminine nouns). Another example: the Arab village of Sulam in the north of Israel stands on the site of the Biblical town(?) of Shunam - here there is a sh > s shift, as well as n > l. I think there may be an example of the same phenomenon in the relationship between classical and spoken Arabic - I'm looking for an example and if I find one I'll let you know. Shaul Vardi
> > Thanks, and glad to have me back (don't be vain Danny)... > > Danny > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com