Meroitic Consonant and Vowel Patterning

Abstract

The phonological identity of certain Meroitic signs has needed further investigation as previous evidence from correspondent forms has either been scarce or contradictory, leading to varying claims as to these signs‟ sound value. This paper presents an investigation into the Meroitic signs <q> and <x> which analyses the occurrences of these signs in combination with certain vocalic signs. It is shown that evidence from phonology and typological processes gives strong indications that Meroitic possessed a series of uvular consonants.