On the Origins of German Uvular [R]: The Yiddish Evidence

Abstract

Yiddish provides a compelling argument that uvular [R] was present early in German (well before any possible French influence). Eastern European Yiddish r was uvular despite the fact that the r of eastern European languages sharing territory with Yiddish has always been overwhelmingly apical. Jews came from Germany to eastern Europe between 1100 and 1650. Thus, the testimony of Yiddish provides independent confirmation of other recent arguments for early uvular [R] on German-speaking territory. The weight of all the evidence leads to one conclusion: the theory that German uvular [R] came from France is no longer tenable.