Momentary-Durative

[Patrick C. Ryan]

Dear Peter and IEists:

 ----- Original Message -----
From: petegray <petegray at btinternet.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 1999 3:19 PM

<snip>

> And there are very many instances of roots showing nasal presents in one IE
> language, and not in another, or indeed appearing in both forms in the same
> language, as Latin cumbo and cubo, or Greek leipo: and limpano:

<snip>

> No, for the reasons just stated.   There are enough counter-examples to show
> that whatever the conditions were for the "selection" of nasal, full grade
> or suffixed present, they are now as unrecoverable as they are within Latin,
> Greek, or Sanskrit, where very little difference of meaning can be
> consistently shown.

I have found that postulating an ingressive meaning for the affix *-n works
very well. It is my opinion that this *-n was originally added to a root not
infixed.

The example you gave of Latin cubo:, 'lie', and cumbo, 'lie down', will
serve as an excellent example of the ingressive force of the affix.

 Pat

PATRICK C. RYAN (501) 227-9947; FAX/DATA (501)312-9947 9115 W. 34th St.
Little Rock, AR 72204-4441 USA WEBPAGES:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/2803 and PROTO-RELIGION:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/2803/proto-religion/indexR.html "Veit
ek, at ek hekk, vindga meipi, nftr allar nmu, geiri undapr . . . a ~eim
meipi er mangi veit hvers hann af rstum renn." (Havamal 138)