Re: LONG: Latest Wenetaic Stuff

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'.

--

John Cowan      http://www.reutershealth.com            jcowan@reutershealth.com
Schlingt dreifach einen Kreis vom dies / Schliess eurer Aug vor heiliger Schau
Den er genoss vom Honig-Tau / Und trank die Milch vom Paradies.
                -- Coleridge (tr. Politzer)