[b]→[k]Certainty: 3/5Commonality: 1/5
Voiced bilabial plosive to Voiceless velar plosive
A direct, one-step historical phonetic shift from a voiced bilabial plosive [b] to a voiceless velar plosive [k] is generally considered phonetically uncommon due to the significant changes in both place of articulation and voicing. However, such a transformation is attested as a regular sound change in the history of Berawan, an Austronesian language. This shift, primarily occurring in intervocalic positions, is understood to have proceeded through an intermediate stage, involving both a change in the place of articulation and a subsequent devoicing.
Phonetic Effects
Velarization, Devoicing
Language Examples
*babuy→bikuy— Proto-Austronesian *babuy 'pig' to Berawan bikuy. The intervocalic *b becomes k.
*balabaw→belikiw— Proto-Austronesian *balabaw 'rat' to Berawan belikiw. The intervocalic *b becomes k.
*qabu→akkuh— Proto-Austronesian *qabu 'ash' to Berawan akkuh. The intervocalic *b becomes k.
Related Transformations
More Chain Shift Shifts
Sources & References
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