Universal #771

Legacy number: 771

 Number  768
 Original  If a language has only two primary fricatives, the second one is most likely to be /f/.
 Standardized  IF there are only two primary fricatives, THEN the second one is most likely to be /f/.
 Keywords  fricative
 Domain  phonology
 Type  no genuine implication; rather: provided that
 Status  achronic
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  317 language sample from Nartey 1979
 Source  Nartey 1979: 4, cited also in Lass 1984: 154

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Discussion
Counterexamples
According to Yasugi’s survey of 92 native Middle American languages, /š/ is the second most likely primary fricative. However, this may merely be an areal feature (Yasugi 1995: 68).
Notes
Primary fricatives are those speech sounds produced by the narrowing of two articulators so as to produce a turbulent air stream. (This excludes [h]). (Nartey 1979: 3).
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
Primary fricatives are those speech sounds produced by the narrowing of two articulators so as to produce a turbulent air stream. (This excludes [h]). (Nartey 1979: 3).