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<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">I am investigating a phenomenon which is found in a number of languages of Micronesia and Vanuatu (synchronic in a few, historical in others), whereby the first /a/ in an /aCa/ sequence dissimilates, usually to /e/, and probably via schwa. In some of these languages, the rule operates (or operated) from left to right:</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> *<I>matana > metana > metena</I> (eventually<I> meten</I>)</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">but in others, it operates/d from right to left, with the first dissimilation blocking any further application:</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> </FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">*matana > matena</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (eventually</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">maten</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">)</FONT>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Directionality is apparently not geographicallyh based: some languages in each area show one direction of operation, and some in each area show the other.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">This kind of dissimilation is unusual enough to suggest that we may be dealing with a single historical process in a language ancestral to</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">all</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> dissimilating languages in this region. However, this would imply a change in directional operation of the rule at some period in some language(s). Can anyone direct me to other examples of this kind of directional change?</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Many thanks in advance.</FONT>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">John Lynch</FONT>
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<P><FONT SIZE=1 FACE="Arial">XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX</FONT>
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<P><FONT SIZE=1 FACE="Arial">John Lynch</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=1 FACE="Arial">Emalus Campus, USP</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=1 FACE="Arial">PMB 072. Port Vila. VANUATU</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=1 FACE="Arial">Phone: (+678) 22748. Fax: (+678) 22633</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=1 FACE="Arial">Email: lynch_j@vanuatu.usp.ac.fj</FONT>
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