Universal 1764:

Original: The basic direction of merging of the consonant endings is unmistakable: invariably from the front to the back.
Standardized: IF back and mid consonants (stops and nasals) have merged word-finally, THEN front and mid consonants have merged already.
Keywords: consonant, front, back, merger
Domain: phonology
Type: implication
Status: diachronic
Quality: absolute
Basis: survey of 600 Chinese dialects in Chen 1974
Source: Chen 1974: 912-3

FP