Noun Rules
The Eight Noun Rules (Mounce, p. 344)
- Stems ending in α,η are 1st declension, stems ending in o are 2nd, consonantal stems are 3rd
- Neuters are always the same in Nominative and Accusative
- Almost all neuter plurals end in -α
- Iota always subscripts in Dative singular, if possible (not possible in 3rd declension, since iota only subscripts under vowels)
- Vowels often change their length (Ablaut)
- Masculine and Neuter always the same in Genitive and Dative
The Square of Stops (Mounce p. 83)
| Voiceless |
Voiced |
Aspirate |
With Sigma |
|
| Labials |
π |
β |
φ |
+ σ => ψ |
| Velars(Palatals) |
κ |
γ |
χ |
+ σ => ξ |
| Dentals |
τ |
δ |
θ |
+ σ => σσ => σ |
- Tau cannot stand at the end of a word, and will drop off (ντ + ς = ς)