[z]→[j]Certainty: 5/5Commonality: 3/5

Yod-Coalescence Palatalization Lenition Glide Formation Germanic

Voiced alveolar fricative to Voiced palatal approximant

Similar to the /s/ to /j/ shift, the transformation of /z/ to /j/ is a result of advanced yod-coalescence. The voiced alveolar fricative /z/ merges with a following /j/, typically first becoming a voiced postalveolar fricative /ʒ/ (as in 'is your...'). Further lenition can weaken this fricative to a palatal glide /j/.

Phonetic Effects

Palatalization, Yod-coalescence, Lenition, Glide Formation

Language Examples

English (various non-standard accents) Germanic

i[z] your→i[ʒ]your -> i[j]our— A common reduction in rapid, casual speech.

Related Transformations

Reverse

More Germanic Shifts

[a] → [ã] — Assimilatory Nasalization [a] → [∅] — Elision [a] → [ʔ] — Glottalization [a] → [ə] — Vowel Reduction [æ] → [ɛ] — Vowel Raising

Sources & References

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