Abstract
In this article, we examine the details and dating of the mergers of Latin i, e into e;and u;, o into o. While these mergers have long since been recognised as a matter of historical fact within the broader development of Latin into Romance, their micro-level mechanics present several problems. By re-examining the available evidence from various empirical and theoretical perspectives, we argue that the mergers were the result of two phonological processes: the rise of peripherality distinctions in the vowel system on the one hand and the loss of contrastive vowel length in the fifth century AD on the other.
Item Type: | Journal article |
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Faculties: | Languages and Literatures > Department 2 |
Subjects: | 400 Language > 400 Language |
ISSN: | 0079-1636 |
Language: | English |
Item ID: | 66192 |
Date Deposited: | 19. Jul 2019, 12:19 |
Last Modified: | 04. Nov 2020, 13:47 |