The regularizing, analogical effect of metathesis in Modern Ch'ol (Mayan): The cases of 7ejk'ach ‘fingernail, claw’ and 7ik'oty ‘with, and’

Abstract This article examines two instances of metathesis that have occurred in Ch'ol (Mayan) since the late 18th century. While at first, they may seem to be cases of irregular, sporadic change, a closer look at constraints involving ejective consonants within disyllabic and trisyllabic roots or stems suggests that these cases conform to a regular pattern within Ch'ol, and more generally, Mayan languages, in which reflexes of *q’ or *k’ are preferred in medial position in disyllabic roots with a medial glottalized consonant. The data support Hume's (2004) attestation assumption for metathesis, as well as Hock's (1985) structural motivation.