Second consonant shift

One names second consonant shift a whole of phonetic modifications which touched the Consonne S of the Vieux high German. It intervenes after the modifications described by the laws of Grimm (which are also the “discoverer” of this second change) and of Verner, together of modifications which one gathers under the name of First consonant shift . One locates it between 4th and the 8th century. It touched all the Lexique of then, words inherited like loanwords.

The study of these modifications is essential with the comprehension of phonetic specificities of the German vis-a-vis the others Germanic Langues.

General mechanisms

The consonants resulting from the first consonant shift are concerned. The principal modification consists of a Affrication of the occlusive , which can go to the Spirantisation: those become affricate consonants, i.e. the occlusive ones finished like a fricative , or many fricative pure.

One distinguishes the evolutions according to whether the consonants are deaf, sound, simple or geminated and according to their position (with initial or after liquid Consonne, between vowels, finally). The sound ones follow different treatments according to the dialects.

Synoptic table of the evolutions

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