Osculance in Bantu reconstructions

In historical linguistics, variation functions as an indicator of historical evolution. The set of Proto-Bantu reconstructions contains multiple slightly divergent forms and/or meanings which supposedly have a common origin based on their strong resemblance, but which cannot be directly connected by...

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Main Author: Koen Bostoen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: LibraryPress@UF 2001-06-01
Series:Studies in African Linguistics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.flvc.org/sal/article/view/107356
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author Koen Bostoen
author_facet Koen Bostoen
author_sort Koen Bostoen
collection DOAJ
description In historical linguistics, variation functions as an indicator of historical evolution. The set of Proto-Bantu reconstructions contains multiple slightly divergent forms and/or meanings which supposedly have a common origin based on their strong resemblance, but which cannot be directly connected by means of established Bantu phonological shifts or known semantic shifts. The term "osculance" has been used to refer to this phenomenon. As a likely sign of non-ascertained dialectal variability and unknown historical relations at or even beyond the Proto-Bantu level, these "osculant" clusters deserve more detailed study. Prerequisite to detailed study of these clusters, however, is determination of the genuineness of the osculance. In this paper, some exploratory tracks are set out via a case study of the sample pair o-kadang-/O-kang- (to fry, to roast).
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spelling doaj.art-19fdf11989b644e8b7178bf346b7f2382022-12-21T23:37:58ZengLibraryPress@UFStudies in African Linguistics0039-35332154-428X2001-06-0130210.32473/sal.v30i2.107356Osculance in Bantu reconstructionsKoen BostoenIn historical linguistics, variation functions as an indicator of historical evolution. The set of Proto-Bantu reconstructions contains multiple slightly divergent forms and/or meanings which supposedly have a common origin based on their strong resemblance, but which cannot be directly connected by means of established Bantu phonological shifts or known semantic shifts. The term "osculance" has been used to refer to this phenomenon. As a likely sign of non-ascertained dialectal variability and unknown historical relations at or even beyond the Proto-Bantu level, these "osculant" clusters deserve more detailed study. Prerequisite to detailed study of these clusters, however, is determination of the genuineness of the osculance. In this paper, some exploratory tracks are set out via a case study of the sample pair o-kadang-/O-kang- (to fry, to roast).https://journals.flvc.org/sal/article/view/107356Proto-Bantuosculancedivergence
spellingShingle Koen Bostoen
Osculance in Bantu reconstructions
Studies in African Linguistics
Proto-Bantu
osculance
divergence
title Osculance in Bantu reconstructions
title_full Osculance in Bantu reconstructions
title_fullStr Osculance in Bantu reconstructions
title_full_unstemmed Osculance in Bantu reconstructions
title_short Osculance in Bantu reconstructions
title_sort osculance in bantu reconstructions
topic Proto-Bantu
osculance
divergence
url https://journals.flvc.org/sal/article/view/107356
work_keys_str_mv AT koenbostoen osculanceinbantureconstructions