[v]→[ə]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 4/5
Voiced labiodental fricative to Mid central vowel
The reduction of the voiced labiodental fricative [v] into a neutral schwa [ə] or its complete elision is a common feature of rapid speech and unstressed function words, representing the final stages of lenition.
Phonetic Effects
Reduction, Elision, Lenition
Language Examples
of [ʌv]→[ə]— Frequent reduction in prepositional phrases (e.g., 'cup o' tea').
have [hæv]→[ə]— Reduction in auxiliary structures (e.g., 'should've' [ʃʊdə]).
[v]→[ɐ/ə]— Weakening of labial fricatives in syllable-final positions to vocalic off-glides or reduced central vowels.
Related Transformations
More Germanic Shifts
Sources & References
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