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

[∅]→[j]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 4/5

Empty sound / Zero to Voiced palatal approximant

Prothesis or glide insertion of [j] often occurs to resolve hiatus or as a strengthening of initial vowels.

Phonetic Effects

Prothesis, Glide Insertion

Language Examples

hiatus contexts→[j]— Development of glide in vowel-initial roots.
vowel-initial roots→[j-]— Common prothesis in Slavic languages (e.g., historical [e] to [je]).

Related Transformations

More Romance Shifts

Sources & References

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