Abstract
In this paper I argue that at least in Vedic, Narten roots existed. They were distinguished by lexically specified dominant accent, whereas non-Narten roots were underlyingly unaccented. Underlying lexical accent accounts for the static accent in the present tense as well as barytonesis in primary derivatives with recessively accented suffixes. The second characteristic feature of Narten roots, the lengthened grade in the strong stem of the present, is still best explained as an upgrading. This hypothesis is strengthened in a scenario where the analogy is fed by channel bias. In Vedic, the system of lexically accented roots was on the verge of collapse. This explains not only secondary thematic presents like rā́jati, but also sheds new light on forms like sā́hant- and sāhvā́ṃs-.
© 2016 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston
