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Journal of Semitic Studies 2004 49(2):215-224; doi:10.1093/jss/49.2.215
© 2004 by University of Manchester
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The Pausal Phrase in Tiberian Aramaic and the Reflexes of *I*

Vincent DeCaen

University of Toronto

The expected reflex of short *i in Tiberian phonology is [e], when bearing an accent; however, in Tiberian Aramaic a second, more conservative reflex [i] often obtains. Bauer and Leander (1927) draw attention to the phenomenon in a general discussion of pause. They offer a weak generalization, noting that when [i] does appear, it appearsin pause; but their observations do not amount to an explanation. This study rejects free variation, and proceeds as if the alternation is rule-governed. Methodological controls limit the database initially to 49 tokens. The conclusion is that there is in fact a configurational, prosodic distinction, and the prosodic constituent ‘pausal phrase’ is consequently posited as the explanation.

* This paper is dedicated to the memory of Professor Ernest Clarke, my first instructor in Aramaic language and literature. My work is made possible in part by a generous donation from the nonprofit GRAMCORD Institute (www.gramcord.org), and by the continued generosity of Albert (Dov) Friedberg.


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