MVS -> OP stop series ?

Rory M Larson rlarson at unlnotes.unl.edu
Sat Feb 14 23:17:40 UTC 2004


I'd like to run my dubious knowledge of the stop series by
the comparativists to make sure I'm on the right track
phonology-wise on my thesis.  Please let me know if I've
gotten anything wrong here.

MVS had [p], [t] and [k], as well as [h] and glottal stop [?].
[h] could combine with the three oral stops on either side;
[?] could immediately follow them (but never precede them?).
Thus, we have four series of stops:

  [p]       [t]        [k]
  [hp]      [ht]       [hk]
  [ph]      [th]       [kh]
  [p?]      [t?]       [k?]

We also have double stop clusters, like [pt] and [kt], which
have been reduced to single stops outside of Dakotan.  (Do all
six possible combinations occur?)  In Dhegihan, the stop retained
is normally the second of the two; thus [pt] and [kt] both become
[tt].  This stop is normally held long, or tense.

In Dakotan, the pre-aspirates [hp], [ht] and [hk] merge with the
corresponding post-aspirates [ph], [th] and [kh].  (Right for which
is pre- and which is post- ?)  In OP, the [hp], [ht] and [hk] drop
the [h] and have the stop held long and tense: [pp], [tt] and [kk].
In addition, the plain stops [p], [t] and [k] are voiced to help
distinguish them from the tense series, becoming [b], [d] and [g].

In OP, the original glottal stop [?] is lost, and [k?] => [?], a
new glottal stop set.  [t?] and [p?] are retained.

Thanks!
Rory



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