[h]→[v]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 3/5
Voiceless glottal fricative to Voiced labiodental fricative
The phonetic transformation from the voiceless glottal fricative /h/ to the voiced labiodental fricative /v/ represents a notable sound change involving both a shift in the place of articulation and a change in voicing. While /h/ is produced with friction at the glottis, /v/ is articulated by bringing the lower lip and upper teeth together, accompanied by vocal cord vibration. This shift is not as universally common as some other lenition processes, but it is attested in specific language varieties, demonstrating a significant fronting of the fricative's articulation along with the acquisition of voicing.
Phonetic Effects
Voicing, Fronting, Lenition
Language Examples
ruho→ruvo— Intervocalic position, meaning 'attire'.
muha→muva— Occurring next to /u/, meaning 'housefly'.
uho→uvo— Occurring next to /u/, meaning 'ear'.
Related Transformations
More Lenition Shifts
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