MANDAIC
(Iran; Semitic, Aramaic)		 For more information about metathesis in this language, click on the following links:
Summary:
Two diachronic metatheses are reported in the literature.
a. 'h' and '?' metathesize with a preceding consonant.
b. A retroflex metathesizes with a nonadjacent lateral.
Examples
Conditions
Motivation
Related processes
Comments
References
Examples:
(See Comments for key to special characters used.)
a. 'h' and '?' metathesize with a preceding consonant.
 
yarha: > yahra:  'mouth'
tir?a: > ti?ra:     (>  tra:)  'door'

cf. eThambal    'was spoiled'  where 'h' is the first consonant of the root.

b. Metathesis is also reported in words containing two or more liquids.
 
Salwa:ra ~ Sarwa:la 'trousers'  cf. Persian    Salwa:r
raSkal  ~ laSkar no gloss given cf. Persian   lasSkOr

Conditions:
In progress.
Motivation:
In progress.
Related processes:
No information currently available.
Comments:
Special Symbols:
S = voiceless alveo-palatal fricative
'  = stress marker
?  = voiceless glottal stop
O =  front rounded mid vowel
T = voiceless interdental fricative

Last updated: 3/8/2002
References:
  • Macuch, Rudolf. 1965. Handbook of Classical and Modern Mandaic. Walter de Gruyter & Co.: Berlin.
  • Malone, J. 1971. Systematic metathesis in Mandaic. Lg. 47. 394-415.
  • Semiloff-Zelasko, Holly. 1973. Glide Metatheses. OSUWPL 14. 66-76.
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