Murmur
/ɦ/ serves as a source for murmur, of which there are three rules:
| Rule | Formal1 | Casual | English | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Word-initial ɦV → V̤2 | now | ||
| bone | ||||
| 2 | əɦVnon-high → V̤non-high, more open |
easy | ||
| large | ||||
| 3 | day | |||
| 3 | ə/aɦVhigh → ə̤/ɑ̤ (glide) | stayed | ||
| very | ||||
- 1 Gujarati spelling reflects this mode. The script has no direct notation for murmur.
- 2 Rule 1 creates allomorphs for nouns. For example, /ɦəd̪/ ('limit') by itself can be, but can only be in /beɦəd̪/ ('limitless').
- 3 More open.
The table below compares declensions of the verbs ('to do') and ('to say'). The former follows the regular pattern of the stable root /kəɾ/ serving as a point for characteristic suffixations. The latter, on the other hand, is deviant and irregular in this respect.
| Infinitive | Perfective | Imperative | 1sg. Future |
|---|---|---|---|
Fortunately the situation can be explained through murmur. If to a formal or historical root of /kəɦe/ these rules are considered then predicted, explained, and made regular is the irregularity that is (romanized as kahevũ).
Thus below are the declensions of /ɦ/-possessing, murmur-eliciting root /kəɦe/, this time with the application of the murmur rules on the root shown, also to which a preceding rule must be taken into account:
- 0. A final root vowel gets deleted before a suffix starting with a non-consonant.
| Rule | Infinitive | Perfective | Imperative | 1sg. Future |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| → |
However in the end not all instances of /ɦ/ become murmured and not all murmur comes from instances of /ɦ/.
One other predictable source for murmur is voiced aspirated stops. A clear vowel followed by a voiced aspirated stop can vary with a pair gaining murmur and losing aspiration: #VCʱ ←→ #V̤C.
Read more about this topic: Gujarati Phonology
Famous quotes containing the word murmur:
“I believe a man is born first unto himself—for the happy developing of himself, while the world is a nursery, and the pretty things are to be snatched for, and pleasant things tasted; some people seem to exist thus right to the end. But most are born again on entering manhood; then they are born to humanity, to a consciousness of all the laughing, and the never-ceasing murmur of pain and sorrow that comes from the terrible multitudes of brothers.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“Never literary attempt was more unfortunate than my Treatise of Human Nature. It fell dead-born from the press, without reaching such distinction, as even to excite a murmur among the zealots.”
—David Hume (1711–1776)
“They must to keep their certainty accuse
All that are different of a base intent;
Pull down established honour; hawk for news
Whatever their loose phantasy invent
And murmur it with bated breath....”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)