/w/ vs /B/

In Old Urianian I have to deal with an unrounded /B/ (from IE bh)
existing alongside the rounded /w/ (unchanged from IE). So far I have
assumed they have independent evolution in later stages of the
language. But since they must sound pretty much alike I wonder if
they will have a tendency to merge. Could anyone with a large
repertoire of natlangs please confirm this, or mention any examples
of the opposite in known natlangs?

In my current model they both become different labiodentals in modern
Urianian. In lowland dialects, /w/ -> /f/ and /B/ -> /v/, while in
the highland dialects it is other way around, /w/ -> /v/ and /B/ -> /
f/. The only one I'm quite sure of is the lowland /w/ -> /f/. The
other ones may have other origins.

LEF

Replies