[w]→[j]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 3/5
Voiced labio-velar approximant to Voiced palatal approximant
The transformation of the voiced labio-velar approximant /w/ to the voiced palatal approximant /j/ is an attested phonetic shift, often occurring in specific phonological environments. This change involves a shift in the place of articulation from the labio-velar region to the palatal region, effectively fronting the articulation of the glide.
Phonetic Effects
Fronting, Palatalization
Language Examples
/-iwope/→/-ijope/— Proto-Mojeño-Trinitario *-iwope 'sole of the foot' became -ijope in Trinitario. This shift occurs regularly when /w/ precedes /p/.
/wa/→/ja/— In the eastern part of the Modern West Frisian language area, rising diphthongs with initial /w/, such as /wa/, are pronounced as [ja].
/wo/→/jo/— In the eastern part of the Modern West Frisian language area, rising diphthongs with initial /w/, such as /wo/, are pronounced as [jo].
Related Transformations
More Germanic Shifts
Sources & References
- Carvalho, F. O. de. (2018). The historical phonology of Paunaka (Arawakan). Boletim do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Ciências Humanas, 13(2), 373-393.
- Gill, W. (1957). The Mojeño language. (Unpublished manuscript). [cited in Carvalho, 2018]
- Miedema, H. T. J. (2004). Palatalization of the glide in Frisian raising diphthongs as a case of shift. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 1(1), 1-12.
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