Universal 921:
- Original
- Standardized
- IF the voiced stop /g/ is absent from the velar group, THEN the corresponding voiced fricative /©/ must be present.
IF the marked combination of features [-syllabic, +nonsyllabic, +voiced, stop, velar] has a frequency of zero in a system, THEN the marked combination of features [-syllabic, +nonsyllabic, +voiced, fricative, velar] has a frequency above zero.
- Keywords
- velar, fricative, voice
- Domain
- phonology
- Type
- implication
- Status
- achronic
- Quality
- statistical
- Basis
- languages in Gamkrelidze 1975 [1978] of worldwide distribution
- Source
- Gamkrelidze 1975: 253 [Gamkrelidze 1978: 33]
- Counterexamples
- Maidu (Maiduan), Itonama (Paezan) lack both phonemes.Sa’ban (W. Malayo-Polynesian, Austroasiatic), Tzeltal (Mayan) have /g/ in loan words.Mbembe (Platoid, Benue-Congo), Siriono (Kariri-Tupi) have allophonic [g]. Gadsup (Trans-New Guinean, Papuan) has allophonic [x].
1. 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.2. “presuppose” = “imply”?