The Universal Atlas of Phonetic Evolution
Back to Matrix [j] → [ɟ] Edit this Data

[ɟ]→[j]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 4/5

Voiced palatal plosive to Voiced palatal approximant

The phonetic transformation of a voiced palatal plosive /ɟ/ into a voiced palatal approximant /j/ is a well-documented historical sound change, primarily understood as a form of lenition. This process involves a 'weakening' of the consonant, where the complete obstruction of airflow characteristic of a plosive is reduced to a partial obstruction, resulting in an approximant. This shift often occurs in specific phonetic environments, such as intervocalically, where consonants tend to be less strongly articulated.

Phonetic Effects

Lenition, Approximantization, Consonant Weakening

Language Examples

/ɟ/→/j/— In the Csángó dialect of Hungarian, a phonetic shift involving the spirantization (weakening to an approximant) of /ɟ/ to /j/ has been observed.

Related Transformations

More Lenition Shifts

Sources & References

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