m-/b- alternation in Burushaski

[Suresh Kolichala]

The list may recall our discussion on Narmada and Narbada alternation, and
the possible sound change where intervocalic labial nasal transforms to
become an oral stop along the following lines: *-m- > -**β̃*- > -v/*b*-.

However, I was surprised to find a word-initial alternation of m and b in
one of the famous papers Witzel wrote in 1999 (he was very prolific in that
year). He  says the following in this paper (
http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~witzel/MT-Substrates.pdf):

North of this area, at the northern bend of the Indus (Baltistan/Hunza),
 Burushaski is spoken. However, the language and the tribal name are
indirectly attested in this general area ever since the RV: **m/b*ruža
 (mod. burušo) > Ved. Mūja-vant, Avestan Muža.


Is such m-/b- alternation a known Burushaski phenomenon? Witzel seems to
suggest that Mruža was the the ancient self designation of the Burusho-
people but, unfortunately, without any helpful references.

I appreciate any information or pointers on such transformation.

Thanks,
Suresh.

It is interesting that Brahui, a Dravidian language now found in the
southwestern corner of Pakistan, also shows a similar transformation:

**mē(l)-*  'over, above' > Br. b*ē-*
**mi**ṭ- '*to leap'* > *Br.* ***bi**ṭ- *'to throw, let drop'

However, this change is apparently conditioned by a following front vowel
(Dravidian nasals in Brahui, Krishnamurti 2001:121-126), and perhaps
unrelated to the above alternation.


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