Modelling combined linguistic and non-linguistic evidence in language reconstruction
On the general level, the paper evaluates analytical methods for combined linguistic, archaeological and
historical research. Specifically, the paper takes up the controversially discussed, but never fully resolved, history of the
g > ɣ > h lenition in Bohemia, a core migration area of medieval Slavic, investigates the
distribution of lenition in space and time and establishes a clear distinction between the phonetic phase of lenition,
preceding yer loss, and the phase of phonological reanalysis following it. Kernel Density Estimation points to the beginning
of the phonological phase between the archaeological area of Prague-type ceramics and Germania Slavica with northeastern
Bavaria, from where it spread to neighboring areas. Potential indicative value of toponymy in Winden- and
windisch- is evaluated relative to a hypothesis about language contacts.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Sound changes with asymmetrical outcomes
- 3.Lenition and the Prague-type ceramics
- 4.Sources of the phonetic lenition
- 5.Conclusions
- Author queries
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Acknowledgements
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Notes
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References
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