6.1163, Qs: Kurylowicz, *Suite*, Freq of stops, Clicks and "glamour"

[The Linguist List]

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LINGUIST List:  Vol-6-1163. Mon Aug 28 1995. ISSN: 1068-4875. Lines:  115
 
Subject: 6.1163, Qs: Kurylowicz, *Suite*, Freq of stops, Clicks and "glamour"
 
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---------------------------------Directory-----------------------------------
1)
Date:  Sat, 26 Aug 1995 17:54:08 EDT
From:  decaen at epas.utoronto.ca (Vincent DeCaen)
Subject:  Q? Kurylowicz
 
2)
Date:  Sat, 26 Aug 1995 19:27:47 EST
From:  simon at CVAX.IPFW.INDIANA.EDU
Subject:  Pronunciations of *suite*
 
3)
Date:  Sat, 26 Aug 1995 22:58:36 EDT
From:  amr at CS.Wayne.EDU (Alexis Manaster Ramer)
Subject:  Q: Relative Frequencies of Different Stops
 
4)
Date:  Sun, 27 Aug 1995 13:01:53 +1000
From:  jodea at mailhost.dpie.gov.au (Julian O'Dea)
Subject:  clicks and "glamour"
 
---------------------------------Messages------------------------------------
1)
Date:  Sat, 26 Aug 1995 17:54:08 EDT
From:  decaen at epas.utoronto.ca (Vincent DeCaen)
Subject:  Q? Kurylowicz
 
I'm wondering if anyone can identify the source of the notation system
Jerzy Kurylowicz uses in his work on verbal systems.  He uses a
diamond shape, marking off the corners with A,B,capital gamma at top
down the left; at the base and up the right side are lower case alpha,
beta, gamma.  His central contrasts are between a capital vs lower
case, e.g., A vs beta; minor axes are between all caps, eg., A vs B,
or all lower case, e.g, beta vs gamma.  In some work he uses a double
line as the axis between minor contrasts.  he seems to think the
symbol system very important in his calculus.  perhaps it is from
Meillet; or something from the eastern Prague school??  I feel that if
I can identify the source, I would better understand what he's trying
to do in his analysis of the Semitic verbal systems.
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2)
Date:  Sat, 26 Aug 1995 19:27:47 EST
From:  simon at CVAX.IPFW.INDIANA.EDU
Subject:  Pronunciations of *suite*
 
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has, or is in an area where one
hears, the pronunciation of *suite* as /sut/.
 
Please respond to
simon at cvax.ipfw.indiana.edu
 
Beth Lee Simon
Assistant Professor, Linguistics and English
Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne
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3)
Date:  Sat, 26 Aug 1995 22:58:36 EDT
From:  amr at CS.Wayne.EDU (Alexis Manaster Ramer)
Subject:  Q: Relative Frequencies of Different Stops
 
I am trying to collect any counterexamples to the claim that
in all languages that have these sounds at all /b/ is more frequent
that /g/, while /k/ is more frequent than /p/.   Any references
would be appreciated, and will be summarized.
 
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4)
Date:  Sun, 27 Aug 1995 13:01:53 +1000
From:  jodea at mailhost.dpie.gov.au (Julian O'Dea)
Subject:  clicks and "glamour"
 
1)   On the subject of the use of click sounds in languages, does anybody
know whether there are any theories on why only some languages contain
clicks?  I believe it is not only African languages, because the languages
of the Aboriginal people who used to live in the northern rainforests of
this country (Australia) also were said to contain click sounds.  I suppose
it could just be chance but are there any possible correlations with
lifestyle?  I have toyed, semi-seriously, with the idea that maybe clicks
are easier sounds to make when one is hunting and gathering because they do
not require any breath to be wasted.  Maybe clicks are especially audible
in some situations?  I understand that they may be particularly easy to
locate in space.
 
2)    On the topic raised by Prof Richard Hudson, two other relevant words
might be "glimmer" (which contains the "l" rather than the "r") and
grimoire (a word much used in horror novels, referring to an old magical
text).  I find it interesting that, as a Catholic, I am required each
Easter to restate my baptismal vows, one of which is to "renounce the
glamour of evil".  A nice bit of old-fashioned, "fossilised" usage?
 
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