[B-Greek] Phonology: F as bilabial fricative
Thomas Thackery
tthackery at comcast.net
Thu Aug 3 16:33:31 EDT 2006
Was F φ at one time a bilabial voiceless fricative?
In perfect middle and passive indicative forms, I see that stems
ending in F φ become Μ μ before ΜΑΙ μαι, and P π before Τ
τ or S σ (cf. GRAF- γραφ-).
Based on the behavior of F φ before M (bilabial) leads me to suspect
that F Φ was a bilabial fricative [φ] and then must have shifted to
a labiodental fricative [f]. In the case of M and F, their points of
articulation seem to be homorganic if F were bilabial.
F + MAI -> MMAI e.g. GEGRAMMAI, *GEGRAMMEQA
φ + μαι -> μμαι e.g. γέγραμμαι, *γἐγραμμεθα
If F φ were bilabial, we might expect that F φ would become P π in
preparation for the next segment, T. The relationship between F φ and
P π seems clearer were F φ bilabial.
F + TAI -> PMAI e.g. GEGRAPTAI
φ + ται -> πμαι e.g. γέγραπται
I'm theorizing here after.
F + SAI -> YAI e.g. GEGRAYAI
φ + σαι -> ψαι e.g. γἐγραψαι
I am not aquatinted with Greek phonology enough to know if there are
rules regarding the number of consonants in a consonant cluster:
*F + SQE -> YQE e.g. *GEGRAYQE
φ + σθε -> ψθε e.g. *γἐγραψθε
*F + NTAI -> ?
φ + νται -> ? e.g. *γἐγρα- ?
(Perhaps one could supple me with the correct forms for the last
three examples)
I am thankful in advance for any reply, corrections, and resources.
Best,
Thomas Thackery
California
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