New thoughts on an old puzzle

Abstract

This study addresses the peculiar pattern of root-allomorphy exhibited by the Italo-Romance preterite. Stimulated by a recent study by Mark Elson, which depends on upholding the traditional view that the phenomenon in Italo-Romance is attributable to sound change and to the subsequent analogical extension of its paradigmatic effects, I review familiar and new examples both from Italo-Romance and from Ibero-Romance, arguing instead that the available evidence casts doubt on the phonological interpretation, and strongly favours an interpretation couched in purely morphological terms.