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Centum and Satem

Tracing the Divergence of Indo-European Linguistic Branches.

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The Centum-Satem Divide

Linguistic Classification

The classification of Indo-European languages into "centum" and "satem" groups is based on the distinct evolutionary paths taken by the dorsal consonants of the reconstructed Proto-Indo-European (PIE) language. This distinction forms a significant isogloss, marking a fundamental divergence in the development of the family's branches.

Defining the Terms

The names derive from the words for "hundred" in representative languages. In centum languages, the PIE palatovelars typically evolved into a /k/ sound (e.g., Latin centum, pronounced with /k/). In satem languages, these same PIE sounds often developed into an /s/ sound (e.g., Avestan satem).

Historical Context

This classification, first systematically explored by linguists like Karl Brugmann and Peter von Bradke in the late 19th century, initially suggested a primary split of PIE into two major branches. However, later discoveries and refined linguistic analysis have led to a more nuanced understanding, viewing it more as an areal feature than a strict phylogenetic division.

Reconstructing PIE Dorsals

The Three Series

The traditional reconstruction of PIE posits three series of dorsal consonants: plain velars (*k, *g, *gh), palatovelars (*k', *g', *g'h), and labiovelars (*kw, *gw, *g'w). The centum-satem distinction primarily concerns the fate of the palatovelars and labiovelars relative to the plain velars.

The table below illustrates the traditional reconstruction and how these series are thought to have merged or evolved in centum and satem languages:

PIE Series Traditional Reconstruction Centum Merger Satem Merger
Palatovelars *k' k s / ʃ / t͡s
*g' g z / ʒ / d͡z
*g'h gh zh / ʒh / d͡zh
Labiovelars *kw kw k
*gw gw g
*g'w g'w g
Plain Velars *k, *g, *gh k, g, gh k, g, gh

Alternative Views

It is important to note that the precise pronunciation and number of PIE dorsal series are subjects of ongoing scholarly debate. Some theories propose only two series, or different phonetic values for the reconstructed sounds, impacting the interpretation of the centum-satem split.

The Centum Group

Geographic Distribution

The centum languages are predominantly found in the western parts of the Indo-European linguistic landscape. This group includes the Hellenic (Greek), Celtic, Italic (leading to Romance languages), and Germanic branches.

Phonetic Characteristic

The defining feature of centum languages is the preservation of the PIE palatovelars as plain velars (typically /k/) and the retention of labiovelars as a distinct series (often /kw/). The PIE palatovelars did not undergo the assibilation characteristic of satem languages.

Special Cases

Anatolian languages (like Hittite) and Tocharian are often considered centum or exhibit centum-like features, despite their geographical location or early divergence. Anatolian languages may have preserved all three dorsal series separately, while Tocharian shows a complex merger of all dorsal series into a single /k/ phoneme.

The Satem Group

Geographic Distribution

The satem languages are primarily found in the eastern regions of the Indo-European spread. Key branches include the Indo-Iranian (Indic and Iranian languages) and Balto-Slavic families.

Phonetic Characteristic

The hallmark of satem languages is the assibilation of PIE palatovelars, typically resulting in sibilant or affricate sounds (like /s/, /ʃ/, /t͡s/). The PIE labiovelars merged with the plain velars in these languages.

Borderline Cases

Armenian and Albanian are often classified as satem due to assibilation, but their treatment of all three dorsal series is complex and debated. Some scholars argue they represent a separate development, neither purely centum nor satem, while others place them within the satem sphere based on key phonetic shifts.

Interpretations and Debates

Uvular Theory

One alternative interpretation suggests that PIE possessed plain velars (*q, *g, *gh) and palatovelars (*k, *g, *gh), with labiovelars being derived from the plain velars. In this view, the "centum" languages fronted the uvulars to velars, while the "satem" languages underwent a chain shift, fronting the original velars and merging the uvulars.

Two-Series Hypothesis

Another proposal posits only two dorsal series in PIE: plain velars and labiovelars. The satem languages would have palatalized the plain velars, while the centum languages preserved them. This model attempts to explain certain alternations and the distribution of features across branches.

Areal vs. Phylogenetic

The prevailing consensus today views the centum-satem isogloss not as a primary split of PIE, but as an early areal phenomenon. This means the sound changes likely spread across neighboring language communities rather than being inherited from a single, unified proto-branch.

Evolution of the Concept

Early Classifications

August Schleicher initially proposed a single velar series. Karl Brugmann later identified groups based on "labialization," distinguishing languages that retained labiovelars from those that did not. Peter von Bradke refined this, coining the terms "centum" and "satem" based on the reflexes of the palatovelars.

Impact of New Discoveries

The decipherment of Hittite and Tocharian in the early 20th century challenged the simple East-West phylogenetic split. Their linguistic features, particularly their lack of satem-like assibilation despite geographical location, suggested a more complex pattern of linguistic interaction and innovation.

Phonetic Correspondences

Comparative Table

The table below summarizes the typical outcomes of PIE dorsal consonants (*k', *g', *g'h, *kw, *gw, *g'w) in various daughter languages, illustrating the centum and satem developments.

PIE *k' *g' *g'h *kw *gw *g'w
Celtic k g kw, p b gw
Italic k g g, h kw, p gw, v, b f, v
Hellenic k g gh p, t, k b, d, g ph, kh, th
Germanic h k g ~ ɣ hw kw gw ~ w
Albanian θ, t͡s, k ð, d k, t͡s, s g, ʒ, z
Armenian s t͡s d͡z kh k g
Baltic ʃ ž k g
Slavic s z k, t͡ʃ g, j ~ ʒ/z
Indic ʃ j h k, t͡ʃ g, j gh, h

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References

References

  1.  PIE *ǵʰ → Latin /h/ or /É¡/, depending on its position in the word, and → Osco-Umbrian *kh → /h/.
  2.  PIE *kÊ· and *gÊ· developed differently in the two Italic subgroups: /kw/, /w/ in Latin (*kwis → quis), and /p/, /b/ in Osco-Umbrian (*kwis → pis).
  3.  Proto-Germanic reflexes of Indo-European aspirated stops had spirant allophones, retained in intervocalic position in Gothic.
  4.  This is the reflex after nasals. The outcome in other positions is disputed and may vary according to phonetic environment. See the note in Grimm's law § In detail.
  5.  Phonetically /dz/. Occurs in Kamviri and Tregami only.
  6.  Fortson 2010, p. 59, originally proposed in Melchert 1987
  7.  Brugmann 1886, p. 313. The quotation given here is a translation by Joseph Wright, 1888.
  8.  Brugmann & Delbrück 1897 p. 616. "... die Vertretung der qÊ·-Laute ... ist wie die der q-Laute, ..."
  9.  K. Shields, "A New Look at the Centum/Satem Isogloss", Zeitschrift für vergleichende Sprachforschung (1981).
A full list of references for this article are available at the Centum and satem languages Wikipedia page

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Academic Integrity Notice

This content has been generated by an AI model for educational purposes, drawing upon information from publicly available sources. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, it is intended as an introductory overview and not as a definitive academic treatise.

This is not linguistic advice. The information provided is not a substitute for professional linguistic consultation or rigorous academic research. Readers are encouraged to consult primary sources and engage with scholarly literature for a comprehensive understanding of Proto-Indo-European linguistics and its historical development.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or interpretations derived from this content.