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Inspite this subdivision GLs make a distinct group with the IE
(Indo-European) linguistic family due to their common features

in:
1) phonetics; 2) grammar; 3) vocabulary.

These features were either inherited from the Proto-Germanic
parent language or developed parallel in separate GLs later due

to their mutual source.

2. Basic features of GLs in phonetics

2.1 The 1st Consonant Shift, or Grimm’s Law

An essential feature of GLs separating them from other IE
languages is their consonantal system, which developed from

the original IE system. These regular correspondences between
the consonants of GLs and IELs were discovered and

systemized by Jacob Grimm. He found three groups of
correspondences and since his time they are referred to as three

acts of Grimm’s Law (or the 1st Consonant Shift). He

discovered that in IE basis the voiceless plosives became
voiceless fricatives in all GLs (p – f: penta – five). According to

the second act a voiced plosive became voiceless (b – p: slabare
– sleep). According to the third act aspirated voiced plosives lost

h
h
their aspiration (b – b: b rata – brother).

Таble 1

IE G Examples
/ p / / f / Lat plěnus Eng full

/ t / / ? / Gr tres Eng three

/ k / / h / Lat noctem Goth nahts
/ b / / p / Ukr болото Eng pool

/ d / / t / Lat duo Goth twan

/ g / / k / Lat ego OE ic
h
/ b / / b / Sans bhratar Eng brother

h
/ d / / d / Sans madhu OE medu

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