List of Sound Changes

Below is a large list of attested sound changes in natural languages.

Epenthesis

• Prothesis
  • Ø > V / #_
    • Example: *scola /skola/ (Latin) > escuela /eskuela/ (Spanish)
    • Example: *scola /skola/ (Latin) > école /ekol/ (French)
  • Notes: Often the vowel inserted has the status of the most neutral or basic vowel in the system (with the terms "neutral" and "basic" being defined internal to the system).

Lenition

• Word Final Devoicing
  • {C/V} > [-voice] / _#
    • Example: друг /drug/ [dɾuk] “friend” (Russian)
    • Example: /xaːj/ [xaːj̥] "house" (Mayan)
  • Notes: Often these are near mergers, where the vowel length may differ between forms that end with a phonologically voiced vs. voiceless consonant, or there may be a difference in how the voiceless stop is released if it’s phonologically voiced vs. voiceless.