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The Development of the Indo-European Dental Groups

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 April 2026

Roland G. Kent*
Affiliation:
University of Pennsylvania

Abstract

[PIE tst etc. (from dental stop + dental stop) gave st, etc. in the dialects, losing the prior dental by regular regressive dissimilation. In Italic, Celtic, Germanic, the analogy to the final consonant of the root more commonly reversed the order of dissimilation, giving ts > ss, which even appears to be the normal development; in Indic, tt etc. may have a similar analogical origin. The sibilants in tst etc. are produced by a PIE pronunciation of the group as two separate stops instead of as one long stop, the breath emitted between the two ultimately strengthening to a full sound.]

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1932 Linguistic Society of America

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