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The purpose of this thread will be to explore the possibility of a common linguistic branch that split from Proto Indo-European around the time of the satem sound change, which came after the commencement of the centum sound change. This branch would include the (Paleo-)Balkan and Balto-Slavic language families, and for the sake of simplicity the suggested Common Proto Language will be referred to here as BSB.
If a BSB group existed since early antiquity, it would have as neighbours Celtic and Latin speakers on the west, Indo-Iranian speakers on the east, Greek speakers on the south and Germanic speakers on the north. These varying elements would influence perhipheral components of the BSB group, leading to a departure from certain commonalities, in some cases drastically. The western limit of the BSB group would generally correspond to the satem-centum line of distinction. The process of satemisation would have likely originated in the 'Scythian' areas and spread from that central location outwards. Although all of the BSB group would be affected by satemisation, the process would not complete before it began to break away into sub-groups, and as a result of diffusion the peripheral Balkan and Baltic areas would not evolve as much as the central areas. Each sub-group would develop its own characteristics resulting from interaction with different peoples, many of whom would be speakers of centum languages, further increasing its influence over satemisation in some areas. Among the group in the 'Scythian' areas, however, the latter would be more prevalent due to its insular location in which foreign interaction would be more common with speakers of satem languages instead. This may have also contributed to a secondary and more advanced level of satemisation in those parts.
One of the most significant distinctions between the Hellenic language and the BSB group is the development of Proto Indo-European aspirated consonants bh, dh and gh. In Hellenic, they develop as unvoiced consonants:
bh -> ph (φ)
dh -> th (θ)
gh -> kh (χ)
However, the Paleo-Balkan and Balto-Slavic languages take a different path of development, where the aspirated consonant largely becomes a voiced stop.
bh -> b (β)
dh -> d (δ)
gh -> g (γ)
All of these differences generate changes in pronounciation, as indicated in the below comparison of cognates between the two opposing linguistic groups along with the modern Macedonian and Hellenic languages.
[To bear, gather] - bher (PIE) -> βερε, bere (Anc. Maced.) -> bere (Mod. MK)
[To bear, gather] - bher (PIE) -> φερε, phere (Anc. Attic) -> fere (Mod. GK)
[To leave] - dhenh (PIE) -> [Murderer] - δανῶν, danon (Anc. Maced.) -> [Drowned or Strangled] - udaven (Mod. MK)
[To leave] - dhenh (PIE) -> [Dead] - θανών, thanon (Anc. Attic) -> [Death] - thanatos (Mod. GK)
Modern Hellenic generally displays the same characteristics as ancient Hellenic (ph/f, th, kh), while modern Macedonian displays the same characteristics as ancient Macedonian (b, d, g), at least where it concerns these words and consonants. This would therefore mean that the ancient Macedonians pronounced the name of their country as Μακεδονία with a hardened voiced stop d, just like in Macedonian today, and unlike either ancient or modern Hellenic sound laws which produce the th and dh consonants.
I would like to note that this is a theory which is still at a developing stage and by no means concrete. It may prove to be incorrect, it may not, but I will continue to add further information, and I would appreciate it if all posts on this thread are specific to the topic at hand.
If a BSB group existed since early antiquity, it would have as neighbours Celtic and Latin speakers on the west, Indo-Iranian speakers on the east, Greek speakers on the south and Germanic speakers on the north. These varying elements would influence perhipheral components of the BSB group, leading to a departure from certain commonalities, in some cases drastically. The western limit of the BSB group would generally correspond to the satem-centum line of distinction. The process of satemisation would have likely originated in the 'Scythian' areas and spread from that central location outwards. Although all of the BSB group would be affected by satemisation, the process would not complete before it began to break away into sub-groups, and as a result of diffusion the peripheral Balkan and Baltic areas would not evolve as much as the central areas. Each sub-group would develop its own characteristics resulting from interaction with different peoples, many of whom would be speakers of centum languages, further increasing its influence over satemisation in some areas. Among the group in the 'Scythian' areas, however, the latter would be more prevalent due to its insular location in which foreign interaction would be more common with speakers of satem languages instead. This may have also contributed to a secondary and more advanced level of satemisation in those parts.
One of the most significant distinctions between the Hellenic language and the BSB group is the development of Proto Indo-European aspirated consonants bh, dh and gh. In Hellenic, they develop as unvoiced consonants:
bh -> ph (φ)
dh -> th (θ)
gh -> kh (χ)
However, the Paleo-Balkan and Balto-Slavic languages take a different path of development, where the aspirated consonant largely becomes a voiced stop.
bh -> b (β)
dh -> d (δ)
gh -> g (γ)
All of these differences generate changes in pronounciation, as indicated in the below comparison of cognates between the two opposing linguistic groups along with the modern Macedonian and Hellenic languages.
[To bear, gather] - bher (PIE) -> βερε, bere (Anc. Maced.) -> bere (Mod. MK)
[To bear, gather] - bher (PIE) -> φερε, phere (Anc. Attic) -> fere (Mod. GK)
[To leave] - dhenh (PIE) -> [Murderer] - δανῶν, danon (Anc. Maced.) -> [Drowned or Strangled] - udaven (Mod. MK)
[To leave] - dhenh (PIE) -> [Dead] - θανών, thanon (Anc. Attic) -> [Death] - thanatos (Mod. GK)
Modern Hellenic generally displays the same characteristics as ancient Hellenic (ph/f, th, kh), while modern Macedonian displays the same characteristics as ancient Macedonian (b, d, g), at least where it concerns these words and consonants. This would therefore mean that the ancient Macedonians pronounced the name of their country as Μακεδονία with a hardened voiced stop d, just like in Macedonian today, and unlike either ancient or modern Hellenic sound laws which produce the th and dh consonants.
I would like to note that this is a theory which is still at a developing stage and by no means concrete. It may prove to be incorrect, it may not, but I will continue to add further information, and I would appreciate it if all posts on this thread are specific to the topic at hand.
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