The Universal Atlas of Phonetic Evolution
Back to Matrix [ts] → [θ] Edit this Data

[θ]→[ts]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 4/5

Voiceless dental fricative to Voiceless alveolar affricate

The transformation from a voiceless dental fricative (θ) to a voiceless alveolar affricate (ts) represents a phonetic shift involving both a change in the place of articulation from dental to alveolar (alveolarization) and a change in the manner of articulation from a fricative to an affricate (affrication). This process is generally considered a form of fortition, where a sound becomes 'stronger' or more obstructed.

Phonetic Effects

Fortition, Alveolarization, Affrication

Language Examples

θ→ts— In some Sardinian dialects (Caralitani and Arborean), the reflex of original Latin combinations of 'cj' and 'tj' developed into [ts], while in northern dialects (Barbágia) it became [θ]. This represents a dialectal divergence from a common etymological source.

Related Transformations

More Romance Shifts

Sources & References

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