Towards a phonetically grounded diachronic phonology of basque

Résumé

This dissertation analyzes Basque diachronic phonology within a phonetically informed approach to sound patterns and sound change as well as being grounded in cross-linguistic typological tendencies and incorporates results from laboratory phonology. Linguistic contact is also taken into account. This approach not only calls for the inclusion of phonetic explanations for the historical processes of Basque, it also aims to find typological parallels in genetically unrelated languages, in order to shed light on the processes under analysis. The general hypothesis is that typologically common sound changes and sound patterns are precisely those with well understood phonetic origins (Blevins 2004). In short, typological parallels and phonetic bases provide a deeper understanding of Basque historical phonology and illuminate the important contributions isolates can make to theories of sound change.