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Universal 768:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 768:

Original
If a language has only two primary fricatives, the second one is most likely to be /f/.
Standardized
IF there are only two primary fricatives, THEN the second one is most likely to be /f/.
Keywords
fricative
Domain
phonology
Type
no genuine implication; rather: provided that
Status
achronic
Quality
statistical
Basis
317 language sample from Nartey 1979
Source
Nartey 1979: 4, cited also in Lass 1984: 154
Counterexamples
According to Yasugi’s survey of 92 native Middle American languages, /š/ is the second most likely primary fricative. However, this may merely be an areal feature (Yasugi 1995: 68).

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    Primary fricatives are those speech sounds produced by the narrowing of two articulators so as to produce a turbulent air stream. (This excludes [h]). (Nartey 1979: 3).

    1. May 2020

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