The origin of vowel alternation in Avar-Andi-Dido (North-East Caucasian): With special reference to the Dido languages

Abstract

The vowel alternation of the type Tsez absolutive buci, oblique stem bece- ‘moon’, which is observed frequently in nouns in the Dido languages, can be reconstructed as a Proto-Dido alternation of rounded vowel (in the absolutive) and *ɨ (in the oblique stem). A similar phenomenon can be reconstructed for Avar and the Andian languages, which allows us to push back vowel alternation to Proto-Avar-Andi-Dido. There are indications that the vowel alternation reflects an ancient sound law according to which rounded vowels in pretonic position lose rounding to a following consonant.