The origins of consonant-vowel metathesis

Abstract

We argue against the prevailing view that metathesis is somehow less natural phonetically than other processes and distinguished by a relatively greater phonological motivation. We survey cases of consonant-vowel metathesis—both synchronic processes and diachronic changes—with the goal of understanding how metathesis sound changes arise. We identify two types of CV metathesis, with distinct synchronic properties and distinct historical origins, and we argue that the two types do have natural, phonetic bases and fundamental commonalities.