Re: LONG: Latest Wenetaic Stuff

John Cowan wrote:

> Tom Wier wrote:
>
> > Right -- in German, the allophones of /x/ are:
> >
> > [C] when following a front vowel, and
> > [x] when following a back vowel.
>
> Almost.  The diminutive suffix "-chen" is always [C@n] no matter what
> precedes it, so there is a possible minimal pair:
>
>         kuchen /kux@n/ 'cook (v.)'
>         Kuhchen /kuC@n/ 'little cow'
>
> The question is whether anyone actually uses the word "Kuhchen".
>
> > It doesn't occur *before* any vowels, so that doesn't come into
> > the question.
>
> Eh?  Of course it occurs before vowels, but the following vowel is
> irrelevant, except in "-chen'.
You're right -- I shoulda been paying more attention there.  Been
REALLY overworked on this end here (hence my not posting as
much).