The First Slavs in the Russian Northwest and the Second Velar Palatalization

Abstract

This birthday greeting for Tore Nesset examines the evidence for the Second Velar Palatalization (VP2) in the medieval Pskov–Novgorod area. It is assumed that this matter is sufficiently interesting to justify an approach that does not try to explain the ‘missing sound change’ in isolation. Hence it is viewed first in the perspective of velar palatalizations in general; then in relation to other notable grammatical features of these dialects; and finally in the light of the reconstructed social context in which this phonological change occurred. The exposition leaves aside the debates about individual issues in order to create a coherent account that is consistent with changes in other languages.