LINGUIST List 15.1168

Sat Apr 10 2004

Qs: Lenition/Melodic Loss; Comparative Typology

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Directory

  • Attila Starcevic, Lenition
  • Yuri Tambovtsev, comparative typology of sound pictures of world languages

    Message 1: Lenition

     Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 07:24:24 -0400 (EDT)
    From: Attila Starcevic <mazanydellahotmail.com>
    Subject: Lenition


    Dear Linguists,

    My general topic of research has been the question of whether it could be possible to extend the notion of lenition (generally regarded to be capturable in terms of melodic loss) to melodic 'gain'. In other words, whereas a change of the d > t type is generally regarded to exemplify the loss of melodic material, here 'voice', for example, what label (from this perspective) could be given to a t going to d in intervocalic positions, for example? If one regards lenition to be loss of material, is this fortition then? If this should be fortition, what label could be attached then to the following changes t > ?, j > dz, s > th, etc. Should one make a difference (and how) between melodic loss/gain vs. sonority hierarchy vs. structural position of the change (intervocalic, etc.)? SO, can lenition be loss and gain at the same time?

    Is there any explicit literature (of any conviction) on this subject? (I would be exceedingly grateful for any hints on this!).

    Message 2: comparative typology of sound pictures of world languages

     Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2004 20:13:17 +0600
    From: Yuri Tambovtsev <yutambmail.cis.ru>
    Subject: comparative typology of sound pictures of world languages


    Dear colleagues, I deal with comparing the sound pictures of world languages. I have studied so far 156 world languages from the point of view of occurrence of phonemes in their sound chains. I guess it can be called the typological study. This is why, I'm particularly interested how linguists and other scholars understand typology. Can one call my study the "comparative typology"? What is typology as it is? Looking forward to hearing from you soon to yutambhotmail.com

    Remain yours most sincerely Yuri Tambovtsev yutambhotmail.com20