Q. [ɸt] became [ut]; [ɸt] > [ut]

Q. [ɸt] became [ut]; [ɸt] > [ut]

In the Outline of Phonology (OP2) from the 1950s, Tolkien mentioned a late sound change of ꝑt [ɸt] > u̯t to form diphthongs with the preceding sound:

Alter this and make change of pt (Q) > ꝑt normal. Transcription pt to show bilabial pronunciation. The combination ft was avoided in Q. and Sindarin. In later (post-exilic) Quenya this ꝑt seems usually to have been pronounced u̯t with partly[?] unvoiced (cf. approach of mahtya > maitya in Ñ. Quenya). Thus lepta > leꝑta “finger” > leu̯ta (OP2: PE19/84).

Outside this one example, this phonetic development appears nowhere else and may have been a transient idea, since Tolkien typically represented this combination as pt in the Late Quenya of the 1950s and 60s. There is no sign of it in earlier writing, either.

Reference ✧ PE19/84 ✧ for example: leu̯ta < leꝑta < ✶lepta

Order (04200)

After 01500 [pt], [kt] became [ɸt], [xt] lepta > leꝑta > Q. leu̯ta PE19/84

Phonetic Rule Elements

[ɸt] > [ut]

Phonetic Rule Examples

leɸta > leuta ɸt > ut lepta > leꝑta > Q. leu̯ta ✧ PE19/84