Germanic umlaut from a physiological and phonological point of view: Prolegomena to a theory of sound change
James W. Marchand
ABSTRACT This paper represents a return to the theme of Germanic umlaut, umlaut in general, and sound change general. It invokes first concept parameter, then parametric inertia. That is, since all parameters are produced by physical organs, they governed inertia, this allows (phonetic) explanation assimilation (including umlaut) dissimilation. Further, hierarchy based on phonetically most similar notion is developed replace unworkable criterion classical phonemics.
American journal of Germanic linguistics and literatures