Universal #1805

Legacy number: 1805

 Number  1800
 Original  Syllables and words are more likely to contain obstruents syllable and word-initially, and sonorants finally.
 Standardized  IF obstruents occur syllable- and word-finally, THEN they occur syllable- and word-initially.
IF sononrants occur syllable- and word-initially, THEN they occur syllable- and word-finally.
 Keywords  obstruent, sonorant, syllable, word, initial, final, phonotactics
 Domain  phonology
 Type  implication
 Status  unclear whether diachronic and/or achronic
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  IE languages in Vennemann 1972, languages in Hooper 1976, 58-language sample in Coberly 1984
 Source  Vennemann 1972, Hooper 1976, Bailey 1977, referred to by Coberly 1984: 102

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Discussion
Notes
1. This statement suggests that segments tend to be more consonantal (more closed, less sonorant) initially, and more vocalic (more open, more sonorant) finally, presumably accounting for the worldwide tendency toward CV shape in syllables (Bell 1971).2. In the voiceless series, fricatives are significantly more initial in distribution than stops (Coberly 1984: 105).
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
1. This statement suggests that segments tend to be more consonantal (more closed, less sonorant) initially, and more vocalic (more open, more sonorant) finally, presumably accounting for the worldwide tendency toward CV shape in syllables (Bell 1971).

2. In the voiceless series, fricatives are significantly more initial in distribution than stops (Coberly 1984: 105).