ABSTRACT
Proto-Indo-European phonology is reconstructed on the basis of its reflexes in IndoEuropean languages – mostly older ones, generally preserving more archaic features, i.e., closer to PIE. The principal languages referenced in this chapter for the reconstruction of PIE are Old Indic/Indo-Aryan (Vedic and Sanskrit), Avestan (Old/Gatha-and Young/ Late Avestan), (Ancient) Greek, Latin, Old Church Slavic, Lithuanian (Old and Modern), Gothic, Hittite, Old Irish, Tocharian (A and B), (Classical) Armenian, and Albanian. Of course, other languages (Sabellic, Latvian, Old Prussian, Old High German, Old English, Luwian, Gaulish, Old Persian, etc.) are also used when necessary or when they have a form or feature not present in a language from the first group. Ideally, PIE reconstruction should take into account all the relevant information present in any IE language/dialect. This overview tries to present the reconstructed PIE phonological system and its main reflexes in major ancient IE languages. A more detailed overview of reflexes for specific languages/branches can be found in separate chapters in this volume.
