The Universal Atlas of Phonetic Evolution
Back to Matrix [w] → [h] Edit this Data

[h]→[w]Certainty: 3/5Commonality: 2/5

Voiceless glottal fricative to Voiced labio-velar approximant

The transformation of the voiceless glottal fricative [h] into the voiced labio-velar approximant [w]. This rare shift often involves labialization or is part of a complex reorganization of the approximant system.

Phonetic Effects

Labialization, Glide Shift

Language Examples

[h]→[w]— Historically seen in the development of certain clusters or in specific regional dialects (e.g. 'hw' to 'w').

Related Transformations

More Germanic Shifts

Sources & References

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