Universal #868

Legacy number: 868

 Number  865
 Original  In initial clusters the existence of at least one sequence consisting of a voiced liquid followed by a nasal implies the existence of at least one combination consisting of a nasal followed by a liquid.
 Standardized  In initial clusters, IF there is at least one sequence consisting of a voiced liquid followed by a nasal, THEN there is at least one combination consisting of a nasal followed by a liquid.
 Keywords  consonant cluster, initial, liquid, voice, nasal
 Domain  phonology
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  almost absolute
 Basis  sample of 104 languages in Greenberg 1964
 Source  Greenberg 1964 [Greenberg 1965: 21, Greenberg 1978e: 261, #24]

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Discussion
Counterexamples
Mitla Zapotec (Oto-Manguean) has /r~N/ without any nasal + liquid combination. (Greenberg 1965: 21, 1978e: 261)
Notes