15.1168, Qs: Lenition/Melodic Loss; Comparative Typology

[LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List:  Vol-15-1168. Sat Apr 10 2004. ISSN: 1068-4875.

Subject: 15.1168, Qs: Lenition/Melodic Loss; Comparative Typology

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1)
Date:  Fri, 9 Apr 2004 07:24:24 -0400 (EDT)
From:  Attila Starcevic <mazanydella at hotmail.com>
Subject:  Lenition

2)
Date:  Thu, 8 Apr 2004 20:13:17 +0600
From:  "Yuri Tambovtsev" <yutamb at mail.cis.ru>
Subject:   comparative  typology of sound pictures of world languages

-------------------------------- Message 1 -------------------------------

Date:  Fri, 9 Apr 2004 07:24:24 -0400 (EDT)
From:  Attila Starcevic <mazanydella at hotmail.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 -------------------------------

Date:  Thu, 8 Apr 2004 20:13:17 +0600
From:  "Yuri Tambovtsev" <yutamb at mail.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 yutamb at hotmail.com

Remain yours most sincerely
Yuri Tambovtsev
yutamb at hotmail.com20



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