Palaic shows consistent geminate spelling in certain words. Although the phonetic realization of geminate spelling is commonly reconstructed as a long consonant, little consensus is found...Show morePalaic shows consistent geminate spelling in certain words. Although the phonetic realization of geminate spelling is commonly reconstructed as a long consonant, little consensus is found concerning the other Anatolian languages. This thesis analyzes the evidence found in Palaic texts and concludes that a difference in length is more probable than a difference in voice, as is often suggested.Show less
This thesis investigates the synchronic and diachronic identity of the Anatolian stops, and their implications for Proto-Indo-European phonology and subgrouping. Ever since Sturtevant (1932), it...Show moreThis thesis investigates the synchronic and diachronic identity of the Anatolian stops, and their implications for Proto-Indo-European phonology and subgrouping. Ever since Sturtevant (1932), it has been known that etymologically Hittite cuneiform VC-CV (fortis) spellings go back to PIE *t, and V-CV (lenis) spellings to *d/dh. This has been taken to stand either for a synchronic voicing or length contrast. Through an examination of the origins and use of Hittite cuneiform, combined with phonological evidence, it is concluded that the underlying contrast must be length. A typological survey of geminate evolution and Proto-Anatolian phonology further concludes that this contrast must be original, and cannot emerge from a voicing contrast. Therefore the Nuclear-Proto-Indo-European *t~*d~*dh contrast is an innovation, and a *t:~*t~*? system must be reconstructed for Proto-Indo-European. This is evidence of a significant innovation that Proto-Anatolian did not take part in, and thus strong evidence for the Indo-Hittite Hypothesis.Show less
The Hieroglyphic Luwian script has a number of apparent homophonic symbols (homographs), primarily within the and series and “presumably to be explained in terms of original distinctions either...Show moreThe Hieroglyphic Luwian script has a number of apparent homophonic symbols (homographs), primarily within the and series and “presumably to be explained in terms of original distinctions either lost or not yet established by us”.1 The purpose of this paper will be to determine whether an underlying phonetic (or possibly phonological) quality distinct from the other signs can be identified for the sign . An accurate picture of the Hieroglyphic Luwian syllabary is key to understanding the language hidden beneath the script. In studying the nature of this sign, the scholar of Luwian will be better able to understand the phonetic and phonological system of Hieroglyphic Luwian, and to connect it to that of Proto-Anatolian and Proto-Indo-European. The paper will begin with an extended introduction detailing the historical position and linguistic features of the Luwian languages, as well as a brief discussion of the Anatolian Hieroglyphic script. Following this, data reflecting the distribution of the sign in the corpus will be presented alongside a discussion of the sign's linguistic environments. The next section will suggest possible interpretations of this data, utilising primarily comparative and etymological arguments. The paper will conclude with a suggested interpretation of the sign.Show less
Research master thesis | Linguistics (research) (MA)
open access
Syncope, or the dropping of vowels from within a word, is one of the most distinctive features of the Lycian languages within the Anatolian branch. The exact conditions for this syncope have long...Show moreSyncope, or the dropping of vowels from within a word, is one of the most distinctive features of the Lycian languages within the Anatolian branch. The exact conditions for this syncope have long evaded linguists. This study aims to clarify the rules and restrictions regarding syncope in Lycian. The first chapter will briefly describe the Lycian language, as well as Lycia, the country where it was spoken. The second chapter will define the place of Lycian within the Anatolian branch of the Indo-European language family. Before undertaking the description of a certain feature in a certain language, it is wise to first narrowly define that feature. This will be done in the third chapter. The fourth chapter will first give an overview of the previous scholarship on syncope in Lycian, after which a detailed analysis will be attempted. This analysis will shed light on the stress patterns of Lycian and show that syncope had worked in a specific period in the past of the language, but that it had since ceased to operate. The fifth and last chapter will summarise the conclusions. This study found that verbs were stressed on the root, or on the suffix, and that nouns were stressed penultimately. Both pre- and post-tonic syllables were syncopated if they were short at the time that syncope took place. In many cases syncope was reversed by paradigmatic levelling.Show less
The thesis discusses the velar graphemes in Hittite, commonly transliterated as KA, GA and QA. It is normally assumed that these graphemes can be used interchangeably. However, it is argued that...Show moreThe thesis discusses the velar graphemes in Hittite, commonly transliterated as KA, GA and QA. It is normally assumed that these graphemes can be used interchangeably. However, it is argued that this is clearly not the case. The thesis then tries to show in which environments the different graphemes are used and how the use can be motivated phonologically.Show less
