Universal #923

Legacy number: 923

 Number  920
 Original  The absence of the voiceless stop /p/ from the labial group presupposes the presence of the corresponding voiceless fricative /f/ in the system.
 Standardized  IF the voiceless stop /p/ is absent from the labial group, THEN the corresponding voiceless fricative /f/ must be present.

IF the marked combination of features [-syllabic, +nonsyllabic, -voiced, stop, labial] has a frequency of zero in a system, THEN the marked combination of features [-syllabic, +nonsyllabic, +voiced, fricative, labial] has a frequency above zero.
 Formula  /p/ ⇒ /f/
 Keywords  velar, fricative
 Domain  phonology
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  languages in Gamkrelidze 1975 [1978] of worldwide distribution
 Source  <r>Gamkrelidze 1975: 253 [Gamkrelidze 1978: 33]

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Discussion
Counterexamples
Malay (Sundic, Western Malayo-Polynesian), Chippewyan (Athabaskan) (Sherman 1975: 11).
Notes
1. Under the “absence of a voiceless labial stop” is understood here not a gap in place of one of the voiceless labial phonemes while the other voiceless labial members are present; instead, the voiceless stops are assumed to be completely absent in the labial group, i.e. systems with gaps in place of all the voiceless members of the labial group, are intended. (Gamkrelidze 1978: 33).2. In Gamkrelidze’s definition of a paradigmatic stop, positions are limited to bilabial, dental/alveolar, and velar. Palatal and uvular are excluded. Only stop systems with voicing contrast are considered in his analysis. In his terms of which segments can be considered legitimate members of the paradigm for stops, aspirated, glottalized and plain are allowed to fill the respective positions. Only phonemes are considered. The paradigm for fricatives includes only labial and velar positions, alveolar, palatal, interdental, and uvular are excluded.3. Is "presuppose" supposed to mean "imply"?
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
1. Under the "absence of a voiceless labial stop" is understood here not a gap in place of one of the voiceless labial phonemes while the other voiceless labial members are present; instead, the voiceless stops are assumed to be completely absent in the labial group, i.e. systems with gaps in place of all the voiceless members of the labial group, are intended. (Gamkrelidze 1978: 33).

2. In Gamkrelidze's definition of a paradigmatic stop, positions are limited to bilabial, dental/alveolar, and velar. Palatal and uvular are excluded. Only stop systems with voicing contrast are considered in his analysis. In his terms of which segments can be considered legitimate members of the paradigm for stops, aspirated, glottalized and plain are allowed to fill the respective positions. Only phonemes are considered. The paradigm for fricatives includes only labial and velar positions, alveolar, palatal, interdental, and uvular are excluded.

3. Is "presuppose" supposed to mean "imply"?