Using Python for a demonstration in historical linguistics

Dax Bloom bloom.dax at gmail.com
Fri Nov 5 22:17:21 EDT 2010


Hello,

In the framework of a project on evolutionary linguistics I wish to
have a program to process words and simulate the effect of sound
shift, for instance following the Rask's-Grimm's rule. I look to have
python take a dictionary file or a string input and replace the
consonants in it with the Grimm rule equivalent. For example:
bʰ → b → p → f
dʰ → d → t → θ
gʰ → g → k → x
gʷʰ → gʷ → kʷ → xʷ
If the dictionary file has the word "Abe" I want the program to
replace the letter b with f forming the word "Afe" and write the
result in a tabular file. How easy is it to find the python functions
to do that?

Best regards,

Dax Bloom



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