Universal #1707

Legacy number: 1707

 Number  1702
 Original  The Nucleus Law:
A nucleus is the more preferred: (a) the steadier its speech sound, and (b) the less the Consonantal Strength of its speech sound.
 Standardized  The Nucleus Law:
A nucleus is the more preferred: (a) the steadier its speech sound, and (b) the less the Consonantal Strength of its speech sound.
 Keywords  syllable, nucleus, consonant, strength, sonority
 Domain  phonology
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  languages mentioned in Vennemann 1988, with special reference to German, Germanic, Italian, and Latin
 Source  Vennemann 1988: 27

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Discussion
Notes
1. That is, (a): monophthongs are preferred over diphthongs, which are in turn preferred over triphthongs.2. Vennemann’s PREFERENCE LAWS (1988: 2-3):Diachronic Maxim:Linguistic change on a given parameter does not affect a language structure as long as there exist structures in the language system that are less preferred in terms of the relevant preference law.Synchronic Maxim:A language system will in general not contain a structure on a given parameter without containing those structures constructible with the means of the system that are more preferred in terms of the relevant preference law.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
1. That is, (a): monophthongs are preferred over diphthongs, which are in turn preferred over triphthongs.

2. Vennemann's PREFERENCE LAWS (Vennemann 1988: 2-3):
Diachronic Maxim:
Linguistic change on a given parameter does not affect a language structure as long as there exist structures in the language system that are less preferred in terms of the relevant preference law.

Synchronic Maxim:
A language system will in general not contain a structure on a given parameter without containing those structures constructible with the means of the system that are more preferred in terms of the relevant preference law.