Fortis and Lenis in Germanic (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9783261033413)

This study represents a bold reanalysis of the phonemic system of Germanic consonants. The accepted primary voiced-voiceless phonemic contrast is replaced by fortis-lenis, whose origin is projected back into Proto-Germanic. It is proposed to view the Germanic consonant shift as the result of lenition im Gmc. /b d g f X s X/ and of strengthening of articulation in Gmc. /p t k/. Voice and spirantization are characteristic of the lenis members, whereas voicelessness and extraduration are characteristic of fortis. This concept, backed by orthographic, comparative and acoustic phonetic data, supplies not only a simpler and more plausible development into the daughter languages, but also provides a common element in the explanation of the First and Second Sound Shift.

Author: Gerda I. Alexander
ISBN-10: 326103341X
ISBN-13: 9783261033413
Publisher: Peter Lang Group Ag, International Academic P
Language: English
Published: 12/31/1983
Pages: 198
Format: Paperback