[ə]→[ie]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 3/5
Mid central vowel to Diphthong ie
While the schwa, a mid-central vowel, is typically associated with vowel reduction in unstressed syllables, in some specific linguistic contexts, it can undergo a process of strengthening and diphthongization. This transformation involves the expansion of the reduced vowel into a more complex, often fronted and raised diphthong, such as /ie/. This shift represents a reversal of the more common reduction processes, indicating a re-emphasis or specific phonological conditioning that promotes the development of a fuller vowel sound from a previously minimized one.
Phonetic Effects
Diphthongization, Vowel Strengthening, Fronting, Raising, Vowel Expansion
Language Examples
ə→ie— Proto-Utupua-Vanikoro word-final *apë becomes n-epie in Vano.
ə→ie— Proto-Utupua-Vanikoro word-final *upë becomes upie in Vano.
ə→ie— Proto-Utupua-Vanikoro word-final *topë becomes lepie in Vano.
ə→ie— Proto-Utupua-Vanikoro word-final *ma[g]ulipë becomes milipie in Vano.
Related Transformations
More Diphthongization Shifts
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