[b]→[ɟ]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 3/5
Voiced bilabial plosive to Voiced palatal plosive
The voiced labial palatalization shift from [b] to the voiced palatal stop [ɟ] is a rare but phonetically documented process, particularly in Southern Bantu languages. Similar to its voiceless counterpart [p] > [c], this shift involves the fronting of a labial articulation toward the palatal region under the influence of high front vowels or glides.
Phonetic Effects
Labial Palatalization, Fronting
Language Examples
/b/ + /j/→[ɟ]— Bantu passive and diminutive formations often trigger palatalization of labials, where /b/ shifts toward [ɟ] (or further to [dʒ]).
bi- (Latin prefix)→[ɟ]-— In some varieties, the labial-glide cluster /bj/ develops into a palatal stop.
Related Transformations
More Romance Shifts
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