Vol. VII, No. 2.] Mundari Phonology. 41 
[N.S.] 
I confess that I absolutely fail to understand this. If the 
difference between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ rests with the final part 
of the consonant, é.e., with what phonetic scholars call the off- 
glide, and this off-glide is missing, the vocal chords cannot 
vibrate. The consonant cannot accordingly be voiced, or, to 
use the popular expression, ‘ soft.’ It must consequently be 
voiceless, or, popularly, ‘hard.’ Mr. Mehl’s definition of the 
semi-consonants is therefore to the effect that they are, as I 
have marked them, ‘hard’ sounds. The term voiceless is a 
negative term, and such sounds as are devoid of voice, must 
necessarily fall under it. To call them neutral is simply to 
abstract from phonetic, physiological considerations and to refer 
the question to that most unreliable judge, the human ear. 
