The process of semivocalization of lateral fluids in pre-vocalic position: a theoretical revision

Abstract

The aim of this work is to analyze the process of semivocalization of lateral liquid consonants, prevocalic position through a bibliographic review of the subject. First, these consonants are characterized and justifications for the appearance of the process which make them being released as glides. Afterwards, this phenomenon is discussed in the area of Language Acquisition and the area of Linguistic Variation. Thus, it was taken concepts from Câmara Jr (1953 and 1987), Hernandorena (1988, 1990 and 2001), Azambuja (1998), Silva (2003) e Aragão (1999). Based on these authors, among others, it can be said that, in Language Acquisition, semivocalization is a natural stage of liquids acquisition, due to the articulation complexity of this kind of consonant. In Linguistic Variation, semivocalization involves two processes: despalatalização and iotização, which are referred only to the consonant //. Besides that, in the recent phase of our language, the tendency of some communities is the opposite process of the evolution presented from Latin to Portuguese, i.e., despalatalização and iotização, because, by the principle of economy, those would be typical tendencies to be established, once they promote a facility of articulation.