consonants, eight are Semivowels, ζ, ξ, ψ, λ, μ, ν, ρ, ς. They are called semivowels because, being less easily sounded than the vowels, when attempted to be pronounced alone, they result in hisses and mumblings. There are nine Mutes, β, γ, δ, θ, κ, π, τ, φ, χ. They are called mutes because they are more disagreeable in sound than the others, just as we say that a tragedian with a disagreeable voice is mute (ἄφωνος = voiceless). Of these, three are smooth, κ, π, τ; three are rough, θ, φ, χ, and three are medial, β, γ, δ. The last are called medials because they are rougher than the smooths, and smoother than the roughs. And β is the medial between π and φ, γ between κ and χ, and δ between τ and θ. The roughs stand related to the smooths thus:
- φ to π—ἀλλά μοι εἴφ’ ὅπῃ ἔσχες ἰὼν εὐεργέα νῆα·
- χ to κ—αὐτίχ’ ὁ μὲν χλαῖνάν τε χιτῶνά τε ἕννυτ’ Ὀδυσσεύς·
- θ to τ—ὣς ἔφαθ’, οἱ δ’ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.
Again, of the consonants, three are double, ζ, ξ, ψ. They are called double because each one of them is composed of two consonants, ζ of ς and δ,[1] ξ of κ and σ, ψ of π and σ. Four are unchangeable. They are called unchangeable because they do not change in the futures of verbs or the inflections of nouns. They are likewise called liquids. The final elements of masculine nouns, in the nominative case, singular number, are five, ν, ξ, ρ, σ, ψ, as Δίων, Φοῖνιξ, Νέστωρ, Πάρις, Πέλοψ); of feminine nouns, eight, α, η, ω, ν, ξ, ρ, σ, ψ, as Μοῦσα, Ἑλένη, Κλειώ, χελιδών, ἕλιξ, μήτηρ, Θέτις, λαῖλαψ; of neuters, six, α, ι, ν, ρ, σ, υ, as ἅρμα, μέλι, δένδρον, ὕδωρ, δέπας, δόρυ. Some add also ο, as in ἐκεῖνο, τοῦτο, ἄλλο. The final elements of duals are three, α, ε, ω, as Ἀτρείδα, Ἕκτορε, φίλω; of plurals, four, ι, ς, α, η, as φίλοι, Ἕκτορες, βιβλία, βέλη.
A Syllable is properly the combination of a vowel[3] with a
- ↑ Cf. Aristotle, Metaph., A 9 (993a 5), v 6 (1093a 20); Kühner, Ausführ. Gram. der Gr. Spr., vol. i. p. 55.
- ↑ Cf. Aristotle, Poetics, cap. xx.; Schmidt, Beiträge, pp. 126-180; Steinthal, Sprachw. bei den Gr. und Röm., p. 254.
- ↑ Or diphthong, evidently.
Indoger. Spr., pp. 54 sqq. et passim; Curtius, Grundzüge der griech Etymologie, pp. 85 sqq.; Max Müller, Lectures, 2nd Series, Lect. III.
