Timeline for Which phenomena compensate for sound losses in languages?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
10 events
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| Sep 22, 2011 at 17:32 | comment | added | Mitch | sorry, I see now that you did not claim that. I think I reacted that way because the single example 1) didn't confirm for me that there was no distinction before 1066, and 2) didn't help me think of other examples (for just /f/ or for the other two fricatives). | |
| Sep 21, 2011 at 23:17 | comment | added | Aaron | @Mitch, that is not the claim that I make at all. | |
| Sep 21, 2011 at 22:51 | comment | added | Mitch | thanks that helps. But if there's actually only one word with this phenomenon, how can you possibly make a claim that it is a general rule, much less generalize the rule to other fricatives? | |
| Sep 21, 2011 at 21:21 | comment | added | Aaron | @Mitch, it is difficult to illustrate the rule with individual words. The fact is, Old English had only one sound /f/ that was sometimes pronounced [f] and sometimes [v]. After some internal changes and some contact with French, English grew a sound /v/ that is different than /f/. I edited the answer to try to make this more perspicuous by showing one loan word which has this contrast. Does this help? | |
| Sep 21, 2011 at 21:20 | history | edited | Aaron | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
clarify answer somewhat more
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| Sep 21, 2011 at 21:12 | history | edited | Aaron | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
clarify answer somewhat
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| Sep 21, 2011 at 15:51 | comment | added | Mitch | I mean an example or two of specific words in Old English/Modern English, Old French/Modern French (or whatever is useful) with these specific changes that you describe. Is this the example of OE heofon -> E heaven? If so then give the example with the French context (does it work word final too?) Not everyone knows OE/OF/French, so it is better to explain with specific examples that confirm the rule. | |
| Sep 21, 2011 at 15:23 | comment | added | Aaron | @Mitch, isn't the it about English and French an example of a sound split? What more information would you like to see? | |
| Sep 21, 2011 at 11:35 | comment | added | Mitch | Can you add an example to your answer? | |
| Sep 14, 2011 at 5:01 | history | answered | Aaron | CC BY-SA 3.0 |