When is Orthography Not Just Orthography? The Case of the Novgorod Birchbark Letters
Когда орфография — это не просто орфография? На примере новгородских берестяных грамот
2010-08-24
SCID: 54.1/6vbjtab3
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Finnic substratumNovgorod birchbark lettersOld Novgorod dialectjer shiftjer-letter merger
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Abstract (AI)
In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt:In this paper, I argue that the jer-letter merger in the corpus of the Novgorod birchbark letters is entirely explicable in terms of the underlying phonology of the Old Novgorod dialect. In particular, I propose that the outcome of the jer shift in the Old Novgorod dialect was affected by a Finnic substratum.
Key Findings
1
The Old Novgorod dialect’s jer shift was influenced by a Finnic substratum.
2
The analysis argues that the orthographic merger reflects dialectal phonological development rather than merely orthographic convention.
3
The jer-letter merger in the Novgorod birchbark-letter corpus can be explained through the underlying phonology of Old Novgorod.
Research Object
the jer-letter merger in the corpus of the Novgorod birchbark letters
Research Subject
the phonological explanation of the merger as an outcome of the jer shift in the Old Novgorod dialect affected by a Finnic substratum
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2010-08-24
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