[s]→[u]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 2/5
Voiceless alveolar fricative to Close back rounded vowel
The transformation of a voiceless alveolar fricative [s] into a close back rounded vowel [u] is an instance of vocalization. This process involves a consonant losing its consonantal features and developing into a vocalic element. While not a common direct, isolated shift, it can occur as an intermediate step within broader phonological processes, particularly in specific sandhi environments.
Phonetic Effects
Vocalization, Extreme Lenition, Diphthongization
Language Examples
s→u— In Sanskrit external sandhi, a word-final -s, particularly after a short 'a' (forming -as), vocalizes to -u. This -u then combines with the preceding 'a' to form the diphthong -au, which subsequently monophthongizes to -o before a voiced consonant. For example, 'devas raks.ati' becomes 'devo raks.ati', where the 's' of 'devas' vocalizes to 'u' as part of the change from -as to -o.
Related Transformations
More Indo-Aryan Shifts
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