[p]→[k]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 2/5
Voiceless bilabial plosive to Voiceless velar plosive
The shift from the bilabial stop [p] to the velar stop [k] is known as velarization or revelation. It is a rare shift that typically occurs as part of a chain shift or through 'grave' consonant substitution, where two sounds at opposite ends of the mouth (lips and velum) are acoustically confused due to their similar low-frequency resonance.
Phonetic Effects
Velarization, Grave Substitution, Chain Shift
Language Examples
Proto-Polynesian *t→[k]— Hawaiian shifted alveolars to velars after the original velars had become glottal stops, demonstrating the language's tendency toward rear articulation.
*kʷetwor- (four)→cethair [k] (Irish) / pedwar [p] (Welsh)— While the shift was [kʷ] to [p], the resulting doublets across the family established a strong historical and phonetic link between the labial and velar positions.
Related Transformations
More Indo-European Shifts
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