Abstract
The traditional explanation of Proto-Romance geminate initials (as in Italian rafforzamento), in terms of a progressive assimilation subsequent to Latin, is here rejected in favor of a theory of cognation between the strikingly parallel initial morphophonemics of Romance and Celtic. To sustain this, it is necessary to redefine geminates as units and medial so-called single consonants as phonemically composite. Romance syntactic 'gemination' is thus replaced by syntactic 'lenition', as in Celtic. Lenition actually handles certain Italian features better than does gemination.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have