[r]→[k]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 2/5
Alveolar trill to Voiceless velar plosive
The phonetic transformation from an alveolar trill [r] to a voiceless velar plosive [k] is a less common but attested sound change, involving a significant shift in articulation. This change entails a backing of the place of articulation from the alveolar ridge to the velum, a change in manner from a trill (a type of approximant) to a complete stop (plosive), and typically a devoicing from the usually voiced alveolar trill to the voiceless velar plosive.
Phonetic Effects
Backing, Fortition, Devoicing
Language Examples
*r→k— Shift of final Proto-Kuki-Chin *r to k in Tedim, as seen in forms like *nuar > nuak2 'sulk'.
*R→k— Word-initial shift of Proto-Burmese *R (a rhotic) to k in Lisu, particularly in stative verbs, e.g., *besuR > keco 'satiated, full after eating'.
[r]→[k]— Dialectal correspondence where [r] in other Acadian French varieties (e.g., Meteghan) corresponds to [k] in Cheticamp, as in [peJr] vs. [pe:k] for certain words.
Related Transformations
More Backing Shifts
Sources & References
- Peterson, D. A. (2008). On Kuki-Chin Subgrouping. In A. V. Arkhipov, M. D. Gordon, & D. A. Peterson (Eds.), Language Typology and Historical Contingency (pp. 463-474). Brill.
- Ohala, J. J. (1993). The Phonetics of Sound Change. In C. Jones (Ed.), Historical Linguistics: Problems and Perspectives (pp. 237–278). Longman.
- Flikeid, K. (1988). Unity and Diversity in Acadian Phonology: An Overview Based on Comparisons Among the Nova Scotia Varieties. Journal of the Atlantic Provinces Linguistic Association, 10(1), 73-102.
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