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Abstract In addition to the normal Indo-European ablaut alternation *e ~ o ~ Ø in the roots of the shape CEC where the position of the ablauting vowel does not change, there is a regular alternation in the position of the vowel called ‘Schwebeablaut’ or ablaut of disyllabic roots (of the type CERH) where the vowel “hovers” (Germ. schweben) around a medial resonant (R). In addition to the normal Indo-European (= IE) ablaut alternation *e ~ o ~ Ø in the roots of the shapes CeC (including CeR[C], ReC, and ReR) where the position of the ablauting vowel does not change (…

Abstract Greek science was based on an analogical grid of a contiguity axis and a similarity axis. Analogíā, ‘(mathematical) proportion’, was applied to language and created the notion of declension and inflectional regularity. Analogy is a function of the relational aspects of grammar and a mental striving for simplicity or uniformity. Greek is a language with rich data on the mechanism of analogy and its effects on language change. Greek science was based on an analogical grid of a contiguity axis (also known as causal or indexical) and a similarity axis. Thus Aristotle defined ge…