1. The general rule is that a language starts by palatalizing in the most palatal position, and the higher a front vowel is, the more palatal it is (Hyman & Schuh 1974).2. Similarly, the loss of palatality is more likely to affect first vowels of weaker palatality: If palatality is lost before [i], it is also lost before [e] (Stampe 1979: 8).3. Hajek (1997: 5) has a more extensive hierarchy implying consonant palatalization from low to mid to high vowels (see IPA).
1. The general rule is that a language starts by palatalizing in the most palatal position, and the higher a front vowel is, the more palatal it is (Hyman & Schuh 1974).2. Similarly, the loss of palatality is more likely to affect first vowels of weaker palatality: If palatality is lost before [i], it is also lost before [e] (Stampe 1979: 8).3. Hajek (1997: 5) has a more extensive hierarchy implying consonant palatalization from low to mid to high vowels (see IPA).