[z]→[i]Certainty: 4/5Commonality: 2/5

Vocalization Compensatory-Lengthening Indo-Aryan Indo-European

Voiced alveolar fricative to Close front unrounded vowel

The transformation of the voiced alveolar fricative [z] into the high front vowel [i] is a documented form of vocalization and lenition, often involving compensatory lengthening or intermediate palatal stages in languages like Sanskrit and related Indo-European varieties.

Phonetic Effects

Vocalization, Compensatory Lengthening, Lenition

Language Examples

Sanskrit (Prehistory) Indo-Aryan

nisd- [z]→nī d- [iː]— Historical shift where the voiced sibilant in specific clusters (like 'to sit') vocalized, leaving a long vowel as a reflex of its loss.

Related Transformations

Reverse Complete loss Rhotacism

More Indo-Aryan Shifts

[ai] → [e] — Monophthongization [ʕ] → [a] — Vocalization [d] → [dʑ] — Palatalization [e] → [o] — Backing [∅] → [ã] — Compensatory Nasalization

Sources & References

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