Back to Matrix [ɽ] → [l] Edit this Data

[l]→[ɽ]Certainty: 3/5Commonality: 2/5

Retroflexion Assimilation Flapping Dravidian Indo-Aryan

Alveolar lateral approximant to Voiced retroflex flap

The alveolar lateral approximant [l] shifts to the voiced retroflex flap [ɽ] through place assimilation in South Asian languages, particularly in retroflex harmony environments. This transformation occurs in Hindi, Tamil, and other Dravidian and Indo-Aryan languages where retroflexed consonants trigger retroflex spreading to adjacent segments.

Phonetic Effects

Retroflexion, Assimilation, Flapping

Language Examples

Hindi Indo-Aryan

[l]→[ɽ]— Intervocalic context following retroflex consonants triggers flapping and retroflexion

Tamil Dravidian

[l]→[ɽ]— Retroflex harmony environment

Telugu Dravidian

[l]→[ɽ]— Casual speech allophone in retroflex-conditioned contexts

Related Transformations

Reverse Parallel shift without retroflexion Similar retroflex assimilation of r

More Assimilation Shifts

[a] → [ã] — Assimilatory Nasalization [ai] → [e] — Monophthongization [e] → [o] — Backing [∅] → [ŋ] — Epenthesis [kʰ] → [tʃ] — Palatalization

Sources & References

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