[y]→[n]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 1/5

Nasalization Fortition Oto-Manguean Algonquian

Close front rounded vowel to Alveolar nasal

The transformation of the high front rounded vowel [y] (or the palatal glide [j]) into the alveolar nasal [n] is a form of nasalization and fortition, documented in specific phonetic environments where glides interact with nasal features or strengthen into consonants.

Phonetic Effects

Nasalization, Fortition, Consonantalization

Language Examples

Lealao Chinantec Oto-Manguean

Final [y/j]→[n]— Phonological alternation where the palatal glide corresponds to a nasal consonant, likely due to nasalization spread or coda strengthening.

Algonquian (Epenthesis) Algonquian

Epenthetic [y/j]→[ɲ/n]— Documentation of palatal glides surfacing as nasals in specific prefixal environments (e.g., in LuGanda or related processes).

Related Transformations

Labial nasal equivalent Inverse: Palatalization

More Nasalization Shifts

[ã] → [õ] — Raising [a] → [ã] — Assimilatory Nasalization [∅] → [ã] — Compensatory Nasalization [∅] → [ẽ] — Compensatory Nasalization [∅] → [õ] — Consonant Loss

Sources & References

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