Proto-Hercynian

Proto-Hercynian is the (intrafictionally) reconstructed common ancestor of the Hercynian languages, which form a branch of the Hesperic language family, a family of diachronic lostlangs designed by Jörg Rhiemeier.

Phonology

Sound changes from Proto-Hesperic

This section gives an overview of the sound changes that occured on the way from Proto-Hesperic to Proto-Hercynian.

Common West Hesperic developments

• Drummond's Law
• Senantho's Law
• Alfermann's Law
• x > 3

Continental West Hesperic developments

• m > n /_#
• ng > n /_#

Further changes shared with Proto-Alpianic

• Laryngeal loss

• V3 > V:
• 3 > 0 /otherwise

• Coda liquid chain shift

• l > u /V_(C,#)
• r > l /V_(C,#)

• Vowel lengthenings and shortenings

• Long vowels are shorted in closed syllables
• Short vowels are lengthened in stressed open syllables

Begemann's Law

• Aspirated stops become voiceless fricatives except after nasals and *s and in gemination. In the named positions, they merge with the neutral stops.
• Voiced stops become voiced fricatives except after nasals and *s and in gemination. In the named positions, they remain voiced stops.
• Neutral stops remain unchanged in all positions.

Origin of *z

• s > z / after nasals and liquids
• tj, kj > s
• dj, gj > z

Emergence of non-apex vowels

• wa > o /C_
• wi > y /C_
• ja > e /C_
• ju > y /C_