[ɸ]→[w]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 3/5
Voiceless bilabial fricative to Voiced labio-velar approximant
The shift from the voiceless bilabial fricative [ɸ] to the voiced labio-velar approximant [w] is a process of voicing and vocalization (lenition). The friction is lost as the articulators move further apart, creating a sonorous glide.
Phonetic Effects
Vocalization, Lenition
Language Examples
[ɸ] (before /u/)→[w] stage— In rapid speech, the bilabial friction can reduce to a light glide quality.
Related Transformations
More Lenition Shifts
Sources & References
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