The Universal Atlas of Phonetic Evolution
Back to Matrix [g] → [∅] Edit this Data

[∅]→[g]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 2/5

Empty sound / Zero to Voiced velar plosive

Epenthesis of [g] is used to resolve vowel hiatus, particularly in Mongolian where [g] is inserted between adjacent vowels in grammatical suffixes. It also appears in language games across various languages.

Phonetic Effects

Hiatus Resolution, Epenthesis

Language Examples

duu + -aar→duugaar— [g] inserted between vowel-final stem 'duu' (song) and vowel-initial instrumental suffix '-aar' to resolve hiatus.
Kofi→Kogofigi— Language game (not natural phonology): [g] + vowel copy inserted after each syllable; illustrates productive [g]-insertion as a ludling strategy.

Related Transformations

More Epenthesis Shifts

Sources & References

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