The Universal Atlas of Phonetic Evolution
Back to Matrix [j] → [t] Edit this Data

[t]→[j]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 4/5

Voiceless alveolar plosive to Voiced palatal approximant

Lenition and palatalization of the voiceless dental stop /t/ can lead to a palatal glide, often as an intermediate stage in the development of affricates or as part of a general weakening of intervocalic stops.

Phonetic Effects

Lenition, Palatalization

Language Examples

factum (Latin)→fait [fɛ] (via [fajt])— The Latin cluster /kt/ developed into /jt/ in early Gallo-Romance before the nasal/vocalic changes led to Modern French 'fait'.

Related Transformations

More Lenition Shifts

Sources & References

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