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

[k]→[g]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 5/5

Voiceless velar plosive to Voiced velar plosive

The transformation of the voiceless velar plosive /k/ to the voiced velar plosive /g/ is a common phonetic shift, primarily driven by processes of voicing assimilation or lenition. This change often occurs in specific phonological environments, such as intervocalically, after nasals, or in morphologically conditioned contexts.

Phonetic Effects

Voicing, Lenition, Assimilation

Language Examples

/k/→/g/— Word-initial /k/ shifted to /g/ in the transition to Western Turkish.
Kabak→Kabağı— Consonant alternation (yumuşama) where word-final /k/ voices to /ğ/ (often realized as [g] or [ɣ]) when a vowel-initial suffix is added.
/k/→/g/— Lenition voices intervocalic /k/ to /g/ as part of broader Romance phonological changes.
/k/→/g/— Rendaku, an assimilatory process where the initial /k/ of the second element in a compound voices to /g/ after a vowel.
/k/→/g/— The change of /k/ to /g/ occurs in certain environments in Kikuyu.

Related Transformations

More Romance Shifts

Sources & References

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