Universal 1776:

Universal 1776:

Original

Universal Inequality Condition:
(A) e → Ø / _#;
(B) o → Ø / _#;
(C) a → Ø / _#;

1. If a language has only one of (A) and (B), it will be (A).
2. If a language has (B), then it must also have (A).
3. If a language has both (A) and (B), then (B) must apply before (A).

Standardized

When there is final vowel deletion:
IF /o/ undergoes elision at the end of a word, THEN /e/ will undergo elision as well.
IF /e/ and /o/ undergo elision at the end of a word, THEN /o/ must be elided before /e/.

Keywords

vowel, elision, apocope

Domain

phonology

Type

implication

Status

unclear whether diachronic and/or achronic

Quality

absolute

Basis

Indo-European languages and Finnish

Source

Foley 1977: 70

Counterexamples