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

[lʲ]→[j]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 3/5

Palatalized voiced alveolar lateral approximant to Voiced palatal approximant

The palatalized voiced alveolar lateral approximant [lʲ] can undergo a process of delateralization, evolving into the voiced palatal approximant [j]. This shift often occurs as the lateral articulation is lost, and the palatalization, which is already a prominent feature of [lʲ], becomes the sole defining characteristic of the resulting sound.

Phonetic Effects

Delateralization, Palatalization, Approximantization

Language Examples

[ˈgal]→[ˈgaj]— 'rooster(s)' (delateralization of word-final palatalized /l/)

Related Transformations

More Romance Shifts

Sources & References

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