This study represents a bold reanalysis of the phonemic system of Germanic consonants. The
accepted primary voiced-voiceless phonemic contrast is replaced by fortis-lenis whose origin
is projected back into Proto-Germanic. It is proposed to view the Germanic consonant shift as
the result of lenition in Gmc. b d g f X s X and of strengthening of articulation in Gmc. p
t k . Voice and spirantization are characteristic of the lenis members whereas voicelessness
and extraduration are characteristic of fortis. This concept backed by orthographic
comparative and acoustic phonetic data supplies not only a simpler and more plausible
development into the daughter languages but also provides a common element in the explanation
of the First and Second Sound Shift.
