Transphonologization

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In historical linguistics, transphonologization (also known as rephonologization or cheshirization, see below) is a type of sound change whereby a phonemic contrast that used to involve a certain feature X evolves in such a way that the contrast is preserved, yet becomes associated with a different feature Y.

For example, a language contrasting two words */sat/ vs. */san/ may evolve historically so that final consonants are dropped, yet the modern language preserves the contrast through the nature of the vowel, as in a pair /sa/ vs. /sã/. Such a situation would be described by saying that a former contrast between oral and nasal consonants has been transphonologized into a contrast between oral and nasal vowels.

The term transphonologization was coined by André-Georges Haudricourt.^[1] The concept was defined and amply illustrated by Hagège & Haudricourt;^[2] it has been mentioned by several followers of panchronic phonology,^[3] and beyond.^[4]

^ See Haudricourt (1965), Haudricourt (1970).
^ Hagège & Haudricourt (1978: 74–111)
^ E.g. Mazaudon & Lowe (1993); François (2005: 452–453); Michaud, Jacques & Rankin (2012).
^ See Hyman (2013), Kirby (2013).

[1] See Haudricourt (1965), Haudricourt (1970).

[2] Hagège & Haudricourt (1978: 74–111)

[3] E.g. Mazaudon & Lowe (1993); François (2005: 452–453); Michaud, Jacques & Rankin (2012).

[4] See Hyman (2013), Kirby (2013).

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