[z]→[e]Certainty: 3/5Commonality: 1/5
Voiced alveolar fricative to Close-mid front unrounded vowel
The transformation of the voiced alveolar fricative [z] into the mid front vowel [e] is typically an indirect phonetic shift mediated by rhotacism, where the fricative first shifts to a rhotic and subsequently vocalizes or influences adjacent vowel quality.
Phonetic Effects
Vocalization, Rhotacism, Perceptual Reanalysis
Language Examples
Intervocalic [z] (from s)→[r] > [e-like coloring]— Historical rhotacism where voiced sibilants became rhotics, which in specific environments influenced the height and frontness of surrounding vowels.
[z] (from Verner's Law)→[r] > [e]— Development of voiced fricatives into rhotics followed by vocalization or influence on vowel quality in unstressed syllables.
Related Transformations
More Romance Shifts
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