[dz]→[j]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 3/5
Voiced alveolar affricate to Voiced palatal approximant
The transformation from the voiced alveolar affricate [dz] to the voiced palatal approximant [j] is a historically attested phonetic shift, primarily resulting from processes of lenition and palatalization. This change involves the affricate losing its stop component and becoming a smoother, less obstructed approximant, while simultaneously shifting its point of articulation further back towards the hard palate.
Phonetic Effects
Language Examples
*dz-→/j-/— Proto-*dz- shifted to /j-/ in Northeastern Jingpo dialects, particularly before front vowels.
[d͡ʒ]→[j]— In some varieties of Gulf Arabic, including Emirati Arabic, the voiced postalveolar affricate [d͡ʒ] (often a reflex of Old Arabic /g/) undergoes lenition to the voiced palatal approximant [j]. This is a synchronic phonological process that also reflects a historical change.
Related Transformations
More Semitic Shifts
Sources & References
- Jingpo language - Grokipedia.
- Phonological conditioning of affricate variability in Emirati Arabic - ResearchGate.
- Phonological conditioning of affricate variability in Emirati Arabic - Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
- Palatalization (sound change) - Wikipedia.
- What processes of lenition in historical phonology exemplify affrication? - Linguistics Stack Exchange.
- Palatalization (sound change) - Grokipedia.
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