Universal #319

Legacy number: 319

 Number  318
 Original  The number of height distinctions in a system is typically equal or greater than the number of backness distinctions.
 Standardized  IF there are n backness distinctions, THEN there are at least n height distinctions.
 Formula  backness distinctions Š height distinctions
 Keywords  vowel, height, backness
 Domain  phonology
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  sample of 209 languages in Crothers 1978
 Source  Crothers 1978: 135

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Discussion
Notes
1. Cf. #1336.2. Languages with a three-vowel system /a,i,u/ (such as Classical Arabic) would pose a problem here. The most natural analysis would be to assume three backness distinctions (front, mid, back) (Carsten Peust, p.c.)
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
1. Cf. <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1336"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">

2. Languages with a three-vowel system /a,i,u/ (such as Classical Arabic) would pose a problem here. The most natural analysis would be to assume three backness distinctions (front, mid, back) (Carsten Peust, p.c.)