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Universal 691:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 691:

Original
In initial sounds: the heterorganic sequence of an obstruent consonant and a nasal consonant (e.g. bn) implies a heterorganic sequence of a voiced obstruent consonant and a nasal (e.g. dn), this implies a heterorganic sequence of a voiceless obstruent consonant and a nasal (e.g. pm), and this finally implies a sequence of a voiceless obstruent consonant and a liquid (e.g. pl).
Standardized
IF there is a heterorganic cluster of an obstruent consonant and a nasal consonant (e.g. bn), THEN there will be a heterorganic cluster of a voiced obstruent consonant and a nasal (e.g. dn).
IF there is a heterorganic cluster of a voiced obstruent consonant and a nasal (e.g. dn), THEN there will be a heterorganic cluster of a voiceless obstruent consonant and a nasal (e.g. pm).
IF there is a heterorganic cluster of a voiceless obstruent consonant and a nasal (e.g. pm), THEN there will be a heterorganic cluster of a voiceless obstruent consonant and a liquid (e.g. pl).
Keywords
consonant cluster, phoneme order, nasals, liquid, initial, heterorganic
Domain
phonology
Type
implication
Status
achronic
Quality
absolute
Basis
unspecified
Source
Holenstein 1985: 129
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    See also Greenberg 1965/78; Pertz & Bever 1975.

    1. May 2020

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