The Universal Atlas of Phonetic Evolution
Back to Matrix [ei] → [d] Edit this Data

[d]→[ei]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 3/5

Voiced alveolar plosive to Diphthong ei

The voiced alveolar plosive /d/ can undergo a process of vocalization, particularly in intervocalic positions, where it transforms into a high front vowel [i]. This vocalized [i] can then combine with an adjacent vowel, such as a preceding /e/, to form the diphthong [ei]. This represents a significant lenition process where a plosive consonant becomes a vocalic element.

Phonetic Effects

Vocalization, Lenition, Diphthongization

Language Examples

crḗd(ĕ)re→[ˈkreire]— In Southern Gallo-Romance, the intervocalic /d/ in Latin 'crḗd(ĕ)re' vocalized to [i], which then formed the diphthong [ei] with the preceding vowel.

Related Transformations

More Romance Shifts

Sources & References

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