LL-L 'Phonology' 2006.12.27 (03) [E]

[Lowlands-L List]

L O W L A N D S - L - 27 December 2006 - Volume 03
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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Phonology

Dear Lowlanders,

Please listen to the two Flemish anniversary translations that so far come
with audio files, both read beautifully, as you will agree:

http://lowlands-l.net/anniversary/westvlams2.php (Nieuwpoort)
http://lowlands-l.net/anniversary/westvlams.php (Roeselare)

Especially the second, read by our own Luc Vanbrabant, contains several
sounds and sound sequences that remind me very much of Afrikaans and cause
me to wonder if we are dealing with direct Western Flemish influences on
Afrikaans.

For one thing, there is very strong nasalization (apparently also found in
other southern Dutch dialects).

Another striking feature both Western Flemish and Afrikaans have in common
is the apparent development of long mid-level vowels to falling diphthongs:

ee > [eE] ~ [IE] ~ [iE]
oo > [oO] ~ [UO] ~ [uO]

In Western Flemish these tend to be written eê and oô respectively, but
word-finally they tend to be written e and o respectively.

Though unfortunately we don't have sound files for them, the Zeelandic
versions seem to have similar features, not surprisingly, considering that
Zeelandic and Western Flemish are very closely related.

http://lowlands-l.net/anniversary/zeeuws-oostsouburg.php
http://lowlands-l.net/anniversary/zeeuws.php

Does such hypothetical influence from the south onto Afrikaans make sense
historically?  I should think so, considering that Zeelandic participation
of overseas Dutch-derived varieties is said to be considerable.

By the way, Roland's translation into Western Flemish of Ostend is now up
too:
http://lowlands-l.net/anniversary/westvlams3.php

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron
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