[kʰ]→[j]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 3/5
Voiceless aspirated velar plosive to Voiced palatal approximant
The transformation from a voiceless aspirated velar plosive /kʰ/ to a voiced palatal approximant /j/ is a complex phonetic shift that involves multiple processes. It typically occurs through palatalization, where the point of articulation shifts from the velum to the palate, often triggered by a preceding or following front vowel or palatal glide. Concurrently, the sound undergoes lenition, transitioning from a stop to a less obstruent approximant, losing its aspiration, and often acquiring voicing in the process.
Phonetic Effects
Palatalization, Lenition, Voicing
Language Examples
k→j— Middle Chinese velar stops, including aspirated ones, underwent palatalization to palatal approximants or affricates when followed by a front vowel or palatal glide. This is evident in the historical romanization differences, such as 'Peking' (older romanization reflecting a velar stop) versus 'Beijing' (modern Pinyin reflecting a palatal affricate or approximant). In some cases, an older /k/ has become a glide [-j] (spelled <-i> in Pinyin).
Related Transformations
More Lenition Shifts
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