[ʔ]→[h]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 4/5
Glottal stop to Voiceless glottal fricative
The shift from a glottal stop [ʔ] to a glottal fricative [h] is a process of glottal spirantization. This is a form of lenition where the complete closure of the vocal folds (the stop) weakens into a partial closure that allows air to escape, creating audible friction (the fricative). This shift is particularly common in Afroasiatic and Polynesian languages.
Phonetic Effects
Lenition, Glottal Spirantization
Language Examples
[ʔ] (Hamza)→[h]— Occurs in certain dialects, particularly in unstressed or final positions where the closure is incomplete.
[ʔ]→[h]— Documented weakening of glottal stops in various island dialects.
Related Transformations
More Semitic Shifts
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