When Does PIE Labiovelar Kʷ Become Attic Greek Velar K?

Introduction

The evolution of the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) language into its various descendant languages is a complex and fascinating topic. One of the key aspects of this evolution is the change in the labiovelar consonants, specifically the labiovelar kʷ, which became a velar k in Attic Greek. In this article, we will explore the history of this change and examine the factors that contributed to it.

Proto-Indo-European Labiovelars

The Proto-Indo-European language is the hypothetical ancestor of many European and Asian languages, including Greek, Latin, Germanic, and Slavic. One of the distinctive features of PIE is the presence of labiovelar consonants, which are a combination of a labial (lip) and a velar (back of the tongue) consonant. The labiovelar kʷ is one of these consonants, and it is represented by the symbol *kʷ in the PIE alphabet.

The Change to Velar k

In the later Greek dialects, the PIE labiovelar kʷ underwent a significant change, becoming a plain velar k. This change is well-documented in the Mycenaean Greek dialect, which is the earliest known form of the Greek language. In Mycenaean Greek, the labiovelar kʷ is represented by the symbol *kʷ, but it is pronounced as a plain velar k.

Attic Greek and the Loss of Labiovelars

The change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k is also observed in Attic Greek, which is the dialect of ancient Greek that is most closely related to the modern Greek language. In Attic Greek, the labiovelar kʷ is represented by the symbol *kʷ, but it is pronounced as a plain velar k. This change is not unique to Attic Greek, as it is also observed in other Greek dialects, such as Ionic and Doric.

Factors Contributing to the Change

So, what factors contributed to the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k in Attic Greek? There are several theories, but the most widely accepted explanation is that the change was due to a process of sound shift, in which the labiovelar kʷ was replaced by a plain velar k. This process is known as "labiovelar weakening" or "labiovelar loss."

Labiovelar Weakening in Other Languages

The change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k is not unique to Attic Greek, as it is also observed in other languages, such as Latin and Germanic. In Latin, the labiovelar kʷ is represented by the symbol *kʷ, but it is pronounced as a plain velar k. In Germanic, the labiovelar kʷ is represented by the symbol *kʷ, but it is pronounced as a plain velar k or a voiceless labial plosive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the change from PIE labiovelar kʷ to Attic Greek velar k is a complex and fascinating that has been the subject of much debate and research. While the exact factors contributing to this change are still a matter of debate, it is clear that the change was due to a process of sound shift, in which the labiovelar kʷ was replaced by a plain velar k.

Timeline of the Change

• Proto-Indo-European: The labiovelar kʷ is a distinctive feature of the PIE language.
• Mycenaean Greek: The labiovelar kʷ is represented by the symbol *kʷ, but it is pronounced as a plain velar k.
• Attic Greek: The labiovelar kʷ is represented by the symbol *kʷ, but it is pronounced as a plain velar k.
• Latin: The labiovelar kʷ is represented by the symbol *kʷ, but it is pronounced as a plain velar k.
• Germanic: The labiovelar kʷ is represented by the symbol *kʷ, but it is pronounced as a plain velar k or a voiceless labial plosive.

References

• Wikipedia: "Proto-Indo-European language"
• Beekes, R. S. P.: "Comparative Indo-European Linguistics: An Introduction"
• Buck, C. D.: "A Dictionary of Selected Synonyms in the Principal Indo-European Languages"
• Kortlandt, F.: "The Proto-Indo-European Root System"

Further Reading

• "The Indo-European Languages" by R. S. P. Beekes
• "The Greek Language" by A. D. N. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B. B
  Q&A: When does PIE labiovelar kʷ become Attic Greek velar k? ===========================================================

Q: What is the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) language?

A: The Proto-Indo-European language is the hypothetical ancestor of many European and Asian languages, including Greek, Latin, Germanic, and Slavic.

Q: What is a labiovelar consonant?

A: A labiovelar consonant is a combination of a labial (lip) and a velar (back of the tongue) consonant.

Q: What is the PIE labiovelar kʷ?

A: The PIE labiovelar kʷ is a labiovelar consonant that is represented by the symbol *kʷ in the PIE alphabet.

Q: How does the PIE labiovelar kʷ change in the later Greek dialects?

A: In the later Greek dialects, the PIE labiovelar kʷ undergoes a significant change, becoming a plain velar k.

Q: What is the Mycenaean Greek dialect?

A: The Mycenaean Greek dialect is the earliest known form of the Greek language.

Q: How does the labiovelar kʷ change in Mycenaean Greek?

A: In Mycenaean Greek, the labiovelar kʷ is represented by the symbol *kʷ, but it is pronounced as a plain velar k.

Q: What is the Attic Greek dialect?

A: The Attic Greek dialect is the dialect of ancient Greek that is most closely related to the modern Greek language.

Q: How does the labiovelar kʷ change in Attic Greek?

A: In Attic Greek, the labiovelar kʷ is represented by the symbol *kʷ, but it is pronounced as a plain velar k.

Q: What is the process of sound shift that contributes to the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k?

A: The process of sound shift that contributes to the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k is known as "labiovelar weakening" or "labiovelar loss."

Q: Is the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k unique to Attic Greek?

A: No, the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k is not unique to Attic Greek, as it is also observed in other Greek dialects, such as Ionic and Doric.

Q: What are some other languages that exhibit the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k?

A: Some other languages that exhibit the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k include Latin and Germanic.

Q: What is the significance of the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k in the history of the Greek language?

A: The change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k is a significant event in the history of the Greek language, as it marks a shift from the labiovelar consonants to the later velar consonants.

Q: What are some of the key factors that contributed to the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k?

A: Some of the key factors that contributed to the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k include the process of sound shift, the influence of other languages, and the evolution of the Greek language over time.

Q: What are some of the implications of the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k for our understanding of the history of the Greek language?

A: The change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k has significant implications for our understanding of the history of the Greek language, as it provides insight into the evolution of the language over time and the influence of other languages on its development.

Q: What are some of the key sources of information on the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k?

A: Some of the key sources of information on the change from labiovelar kʷ to velar k include the works of linguists such as R. S. P. Beekes, C. D. Buck, and F. Kortlandt, as well as the Wikipedia article on the Proto-Indo-European language.