The Universal Atlas of Phonetic Evolution
Back to Matrix [ɛ] → [a] Edit this Data

[a]→[ɛ]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 4/5

Open front unrounded vowel to Open-mid front unrounded vowel

The transformation from 'a' to 'eps' (ɛ) is a fronting and raising shift, similar to 'a' to 'e', but targeting a slightly more open position. This change is frequent in languages that undergo vowel fronting, such as Greek and some dialects of Italian.

Phonetic Effects

Fronting, Raising

Language Examples

Ancient Greek [a:]→Modern Greek [e/ɛ]— Part of the long-term fronting and raising of vowels in Greek.
Vulg. Latin [a]→Ital. [ɛ] in open stressed syllables— Common dialectal variation in Northern Italy.

Related Transformations

More Raising Shifts

Sources & References

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