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jonathan owens
represented in Diagram 1. A development such as the following is only a logical possibility. Diagram 2 essentially is (2) above, with an added stage 2 in between. This represents Garr’s second suggestion, that ð > z/d at different times. Diagram 2. Possible development of d and z in Aramaic 1 ð ð
2 ð z
3 d z
Diagram 2 could be inferred out of general theoretical assumptions certainly, and by our analogy with incontrovertible facts of Arabic, represented in Diagram 1. However, Garr’s second suggestion, that *ð existed as a dialectal variant, along with z (< *ð) is not supported by any direct evidence in the historical record. Diagram 2 is situated in comparative linguistic time, not in chronological time. Where should Diagram 2 (or the split represented in (2) above) be situated historically? Given the lack of any direct evidence for ð within the historical Aramaic era (beginning the tenth century bce), it can be concluded that Aramaic entered the historical era in stage 3 (Diagram 2), which is equally the endpoint of the split represented in (2) above. In the final analysis, the indeterminacy of the comparative method can be constrained by our considerations here, but the constraints are rather lax. If stage 2 in Diagram 2 occurred, it is inferred only indirectly. When stage 3 occurred is uncertain. At a certain point, all historical linguistic conclusions become inferential. I believe that the best interpretation of the data is the representation in (2), that *ð split into z and d in a pre-historical period. Variational theory easily supports the maintenance of z ~ d reflexes over long periods of time thereafter, and the split itself is sanctioned by a sober and straightforward reading of Aramaic orthography, as well as by application of the comparative method. Furthermore, analogies with a nearly identical development in Arabic, along with an extended but plausible hypothetical scenario for a future development of Arabic helps us to better conceptualize the competing interpretations, and all in all lend credence to the interpretation proposed here.