Preaspiration in the Nordic Languages: Synchronic and Diachronic ...

(Hesselman 1901 & 1902, Riad 1992). For example, modern Swedish
reflects the examples above roughly as mata [m], låta [l], katter
[k] and åtta []. The length distribution has thus become complementary,
and phonetically (in Swedish, at least) the contrast is made
primarily through segmental duration and quality, whereas overall syllable
duration is relatively constant (Bannert 1979). 1
In the Gudbrandsdalen dialects there is a three-way system, which
preserves the ON distinction between light and heavy syllables, as well
as the segmental quantity distinction. However, the ON overlong syllable
type has merged with the heavy syllables (see Table 3–6).
Table 3–6. Overview of quantity distinctions in Old Norse, Northern Gudbrandsdalen
and generally in Nordic languages.
Old Norse N. Gudbr. Elsewhere 2
Light VCV VCV
Heavy
Overlong VCV
VCV VCV VCV
VCV VCV VCV
Keeping this quantity system in mind, let us now turn to the distribution
of preaspiration in these dialects. According to Ross’s description,
preaspiration occurs on all fortis stops that were geminated in ON. Thus
words such as ON litr ‘colour’ and lét ‘let (praet.)’ are reflected as e
and e respectively in the Vågå dialect, while ON batt ‘bound’ and
léttr ‘light (adj.)’ become bh and eh. 3
As for preaspiration in clusters, the situation is less clear since there
are relatively few examples. ON t, k + j clusters are reflected as voiceless
fricatives, as in viç ‘give way’ (< ON víkja) and føç ‘move’ (<
1 There is optional preaspiration on the medial stops (cf. section 4.2.3.2).
2 Danish and a number of Scandinavian dialects are exempt from this heading, and
should be disregarded in the present context.
3 All the examples in this section are taken from Ross (1907:37ff) and transferred into
the current IPA notation as closely as possible. Ross uses h to denote preaspiration
throughout his text. As for the durational aspects, another way to transfer Ross’s
examples would be to have extra short vowels in light syllables and vowels of
“normal” length in heavy syllables, thus: , e, bh and h.
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