La /̆a/ en indoeuropeo. I. Análisis de la * ̆a- en posición inicial de raíz

Abstract

The author reviews in full the IE roots with an initial * ̆a-. First of all, she leaves aside all the roots whose * ̆a- comes from a prothesis before sonant or occlusive, and also eliminates those with an * ̆a-/long vowel alternation, which evidences an initial group *H-/eH-. She establishes thereafter the types of alternation which are expected as a result of an initial *H-, beginning with the study of the roots with initial ḫ- in het. And, finally, she studies the roots without het evidence according to the types of alternation established. The result has been the elimination of almost all the roots traditionally reconstructed with an IE initial * ̆a- (*ai̯os subsists only and *ad- in the northwestern languages). The initial * ̆a seems to be frequent only in terms derived from the nurse's language.