Synchrony in diachronic analysis: the interpretation of <w> in Mycenaean Greek

In historical linguistics, it is very common to interpret the data mainly by means of a diachronic approach. In this article, I will claim that, a combination of various linguistic methods, including a synchronic analysis and cross-linguistic parallels, leads to better motivated conclusions. I will illustrate this claim with a case study: the interpretation and analysis of <w> in Mycenaean Greek. This consonant is traditionally interpreted as a glide [w]. However, the interpretation as an approximant [υ] corresponds better with the diachronic and synchronic processes of the language itself and is additionally supported by cross-linguistic parallels from various languages.