Universal #870

Legacy number: 870

 Number  867
 Original  In initial clusters, the existence of at least one sequence consisting of two voiced obstruents implies the existence of at least one combination consisting of two unvoiced obstruents.
 Standardized  In initial clusters, IF there is at least one sequence consisting of two voiced obstruents, THEN there is at least one combination consisting of two unvoiced obstruents.
 Keywords  consonant cluster, initial, voice, obstruent
 Domain  phonology
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  almost absolute
 Basis  sample of 104 languages in Greenberg 1964
 Source  Greenberg 1964 [Greenberg 1965: 22, Greenberg 1978e: 262, #26]

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Discussion
Counterexamples
Sgaw dialect of Karen (Sino-Tibetan) (Greenberg 1965: 22, 1978e: 262-263)
Notes
Cf. #871 for final clusters.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
Cf. <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=871"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0"> for final clusters.