The Universal Atlas of Phonetic Evolution
Back to Matrix [au] → [u] Edit this Data

[u]→[au]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 4/5

Close back rounded vowel to Diphthong au

The shift from a single vowel (monophthong) to a two-part vowel sound (diphthong) is known as diphthongization or vowel breaking. It often occurs as a result of vowel lengthening or as part of a chain shift (like the English Great Vowel Shift).

Phonetic Effects

Great Vowel Shift, Diphthongization of Long High Back Vowel

Language Examples

house [u:]→house [au]— Great Vowel Shift (Early Modern English)

Related Transformations

More Germanic Shifts

Sources & References

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