Abstract
In Sargonic Akkadian the {Š} series of signs was used to express Proto-Semitic *t. Traditionally, the phonetic value /š/ ([ ʃ ]) was attributed to this series, despite the problems which this reconstruction entailed. The affricate theory according to which the Proto-Semitic sounds *s3,*z, *ṣ should no longer be interpreted as [s], [z], [s’] but rather as [ts], [dz], [ts’], forces us to reassess the entire reconstruction. This article will discuss the different proposals for reconstructing Proto-Semitic *t and show that its reconstruction as an affricate [t̪θ] can easily explain the orthographic evidence in Sargonic Akkadian while also presupposing only a few simple sound changes in modern Semitic languages. Accordingly, three dental/alveolar affricate sequences [ts] – [dz] – [ts’], [tɬ] (– [dɮ]) – [tɬ’], and [t̪θ] – [d̪ð] – [t̪θ’] must be postulated for Proto-Semitic. Similar to indicating deaffrication of *s3 ([ts] > [s]) in Old Babylonian by using {S} signs instead of {Z} signs, Sargonic Akkadian expressed the already realised deaffrication of *s2([tɬ] > [ɬ]) by using {S}-signs in contrast to {Z}-signs that were used for *ṣ́ ([tɬ’]). Likewise, the already realised deaffrication of *ṯ ([t̪θ] > [θ]) was expressed by using {Š}-signs in contrast to the use of {Z}-signs for *ḏ ([d̪ð]) and *ṯ̣ ([t̪θ’]). Thus, the phonetic value [θ] has to be reconstructed for the {Š} series in Sargonic Akkadian.
Published Version
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