[n]→[u]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 3/5

Alveolar nasal to Close back rounded vowel

The shift from the alveolar nasal [n] to the high-back rounded vowel [u] is a form of vocalization. It typically occurs when an intervocalic or final nasal weakens into a labial glide [w], which then merges with the preceding vowel to form a nasalized diphthong or a pure vowel quality.

Phonetic Effects

Vocalization, Nasalization

Language Examples

Portuguese Romance

canem [n] (Latin)→cão [ɐ̃w̃] / [u]— Historical vocalization of the nasal into a labial glide/vowel, creating a nasal diphthong.

Related Transformations

Reverse

More Nasalization Shifts

[ã] → [õ] — Raising [a] → [ã] — Assimilatory Nasalization [a] → [∅] — Elision [a] → [ə] — Vowel Reduction [ai] → [e] — Monophthongization

Sources & References

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