The Universal Atlas of Phonetic Evolution
Back to Matrix [∅] → [ə] Edit this Data

[ə]→[∅]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 5/5

Mid central vowel to Empty sound / Zero

The loss or elision of a neutral central vowel /ə/, often through processes of syncope in unstressed syllables.

Phonetic Effects

Syncope, Elision

Language Examples

history→[ˈhɪstri]— Loss of unstressed schwa in rapid speech.
camera→[ˈkæmrə]— Syncope of the middle vowel.
petit→[pti]— Loss of 'e muet' (schwa) in initial syllables.

Related Transformations

More Romance Shifts

Sources & References

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