[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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