Vowel Reduction, Segholates, Monosyllabic Words, and מִן

Question 1

Distant Open Rule (Propretonic Reduction)

Answer 1

Any tone long vowel (typically ָ◌◌ and ֵ◌◌) in an open syllable two or more syllables from the accent reduces to ְ◌◌.

Question 2

Distant Open Alternate (Pretonic Reduction)

Answer 2

If there is a historically long vowel (which cannot reduce) in the propretonic syllable, the pretonic syllable reduces instead.

Question 3

Characteristics of Segholate nouns

Answer 3

• Accented first syllable
• ֶ◌◌ in one or both syllables
• Segholate nouns with gutturals may take ַ◌◌

Question 4

What pattern does the Segholate noun typically follow in the plural?

Answer 4

שְׁוָא (simple or compound) in the first syllable and ָ◌◌ in the second.

Question 5

What happens if מִן is attached to a word beginning with a nonguttural letter?

Answer 5

נ assimilates to the first consonant, becoming daghesh forte in that letter.

Question 6

What happens if מִן is attached to a word beginning with ְ◌◌?

Answer 6

The daghesh forte may be absent.

Question 7

What happens if מִן is attached to a word beginning with י?

Answer 7

The rule of quiescent letters applies.