Sibilants in Libyco-Berber

Libyco-Berber inscriptions from Dougga, dating to the second century BCE, reveal seven distinct sibilant signs that likely represent different pronunciations. This challenges the traditional view of graphemic variants and suggests a more complex phonetic system, potentially involving three or four articulations with length contrasts. The study has significant implications for understanding the relationship between Libyco-Berber and Proto-Berber, as it sheds light on how sibilant systems evolved in these ancient languages. By analyzing inscriptions from Dougga, researchers provide new insights into the phonetic structure of Libyco-Berber, contributing to broader debates about language reconstruction and historical linguistics.

Kossman, M. (2021). Sibilants in Libyco-Berber. Journal of the American Oriental Society, 140(4). https://doi.org/10.7817/jameroriesoci.140.4.0875