The Universal Atlas of Phonetic Evolution
Back to Matrix [f] → [bʱ] Edit this Data

[bʱ]→[f]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 3/5

Voiced aspirated bilabial plosive to Voiceless labiodental fricative

The transformation from a voiced aspirated bilabial plosive ([bʱ]) to a voiceless labiodental fricative ([f]) is a documented historical sound change, primarily observed in the development of Proto-Indo-European (PIE) into certain daughter languages, notably Latin. This shift involves a series of phonetic alterations, including devoicing, fricativization (lenition), deaspiration, and a slight forward shift in the place of articulation.

Phonetic Effects

Devoicing, Fricativization, Deaspiration

Language Examples

Proto-Indo-European *bʰer-→fero— The PIE root *bʰer- (to carry, bear) became 'fero' (I carry/bear) in Latin.
Proto-Indo-European *bʰrā́tēr→frāter— The PIE word for 'brother', *bʰrā́tēr, evolved into 'frāter' in Latin.

Related Transformations

More Lenition Shifts

Sources & References

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