[w]→[i]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 4/5

Northwest Semitic Vocalization Monophthongization Semitic

Voiced labio-velar approximant to Close front unrounded vowel

The voiced labio-velar approximant [w], particularly when functioning as the second element of a diphthong (e.g., /iw/, /uy/), can undergo vocalization and monophthongization. This process involves the absorption of the approximant into a preceding high front unrounded vowel [i], typically resulting in a lengthened [iː].

Phonetic Effects

Vocalization, Monophthongization, Glide to Vowel Shift

Language Examples

Hebrew Northwest Semitic

*wayyúyśɛm→wayyī́śɛm— Monophthongization of the diphthong /uy/ to /ī/.

Ugaritic Northwest Semitic

/iw/→/ī/— Monophthongization of the diphthong /iw/ to /ī/.

Related Transformations

Reverse

More Semitic Shifts

[ã] → [õ] — Raising [ai] → [e] — Monophthongization [ʕ] → [a] — Vocalization [ʕ] → [ʔ] — De-pharyngealization [b] → [v] — Spirantization

Sources & References

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