Evolution of German

These are just notes to get my thoughts together for a test; no guarantee is given as to the accuracy of this information and the site license stands.

Evolution

Proto-IE to Proto-Germanic

Verner's Law

Continuant options if after a vowel.

• / V_[-stressed] C_0[+sonorant] _ {#,C_[+sonorant]}

p	t	k	kʷ
→
β/b	d/ð	ɣ/ɡ	ɣʷ/ɡʷ

The first sound shift

Continuant options if after a vowel

• voiceless stops → fricatives

p	t	k	kʷ	s
→
f	θ	x/h	xʷ/hʷ	s

• voiced stops → unvoiced stops

b	d	ɡ	ɡʷ
→
p	t	k	kʷ

• voiced aspirated stops → voiced stops

bʰ	dʰ	ɡʰ	ɡʷʰ
→
β/b	d/ð	ɣ/ɡ	ɣʷ/ɡʷ

Germanic to NW Germanic

• z → r

NW Germanic to West Germanic

• ð → d

West Germanic to OHG

Second Sound Shift

(a.k.a. Affricatisation)

• d → t
• β → b
• ɣ → ɡ