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Re: David qua David

From:Nik Taylor <fortytwo@...>
Date:Friday, April 20, 2001, 2:15
David Peterson wrote:
> Vowels: [u], [u:], [ae], [ae:], [i], [i:], [y], [y:], [I], [I:], [E], [E:], > [R], [R:] (this last one is that err vowel in "bird", "herd", "curd", et > cetera)
So, only 2 back vowels and 12 front vowels?
> [q'] (uvular ejective, used only in some verb conjugations--remnant > of an olders system).
Generally, if a language has only one ejective, it will be [k']. Also, ejectives are generally either used only in lexical items, or in both lexical items and grammatical morpheme.
> Plurals: > 1.) If the stressed vowel in a word is [u] or [R], it changes to [y] and > [ae], respectively (keeping its length, if there is any) > 2.) If the stressed vowel is a front vowel, it moves up a step: [ae]>[E], > [E]>[I], [I]>[i] > 3.) If the vowel is a high front vowel, it switches with the other high front > vowel: [i]>[y], [y]>[i]
Cool! Altho that last one seems somewhat artificial.
> Accusative: The first and last vowels switch. So, a word can look the same > in the nominative and accusative, given the first and last vowels are the > same, or that the word is one syllable long: ['zi:GEB], ['dE:ntsaez] (note > the stress change)
Interesting, but it seems rather artificial.
> Dative: The first vowel goes to [ae], and if it's [ae], it goes to [u]: > [zae'Gi:B], [dun'tsE:z]
So, suppose you had, [zE:Gi:B] and [zi:Gi:B], then those two would be identical in the dative?
> [r]+[j]>[H]
This one doesn't make much sense. It's interesting, but strikes me as artificial. -- Cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon A nation without a language is a nation without a heart - Welsh proverb ICQ: 18656696 AIM Screen-Name: NikTaylor42