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

Branching Tree of Germanic Languages

Proto-IE to Proto-Germanic

• IE ablaut rule:
  • V → V → [e(:), o(:), 0] in a m.c. environment
  • kneigʰ → kniigʰ­­/knīgʰ­­
• o → a
• l̥, m̥, n̥, r̥ → ul, um, un, ur
• "First" umlaut:
  • e → i / _ {C₀ i(:), j | [+nasal C]C }
  • i, u → e, o / _ C₀ a(:), o(:), e(:) | (C ≠ [+nasal C] C)
• ē → ā

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

Gemination

• C → CC / _ C_[+son]
  • (i.e.: n, m, l, (r,) w, j }
  • skalj → shell
  • → latter, ladder
  • → button
  • → happen
  • → bubble
  • → bottle
  • sitj(an) → sit(ting)

West Germanic to OHG

Voiceless Stops Fricativise

• ship → shif

Second Sound Shift

Voiceless Aspirated Stops Fricativise (a.k.a. Affricatisation)

pʰ	tʰ	kʰ	→
pf	ts	kx	/ {#,C} _
ff	ss	xx	/ {V} _

Voiced stops devoice

• d → t (except after a nasal?)
• g,b → k,p

Other stuff

• θ → d
• β → b
• ɣ → ɡ