The Universal Atlas of Phonetic Evolution
Back to Matrix [lʲ] → [l] Edit this Data

[l]→[lʲ]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 4/5

Alveolar lateral approximant to Palatalized voiced alveolar lateral approximant

The palatalization of the voiced alveolar lateral approximant [l] to [lʲ]. This is a common process in languages with a robust secondary articulation contrast.

Phonetic Effects

Palatalization

Language Examples

ль→[lʲ]— The 'soft L' contrast in Russian phonology.
l→[lʲ]— The slender lateral phoneme.

Related Transformations

More Slavic Shifts

Sources & References

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