Kernewek
Initial consonant mutation is a hallmark of Celtic linguistics. Words systematically alter their opening consonant based on what precedes them—whether possessive pronouns, prepositions, numbers, or grammatical gender.
| Radical (Base) | Mutated Form | Blocked Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| k | g | None |
| p | b | None |
| t | d | None |
| ch | j | None |
| kw | gw | None |
| qw | gw | None |
| b | v | None |
| d | dh | None |
| g | None | |
| gw | w | None |
| m | v | None |
| Radical (Base) | Mutated Form | Blocked Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| k | h | None |
| p | f | None |
| t | th | None |
| Radical (Base) | Mutated Form | Blocked Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| b | p | None |
| d | t | None |
| g | k | None |
| gw | kw | None |
| Radical (Base) | Mutated Form | Blocked Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| kw | wh | None |
| qw | wh | None |
| gw | hw | None |
| k | h | None |
| p | f | None |
| t | th | None |
| b | f | None |
| d | t | None |
| g | h | None |
| m | f | None |
The following words and grammatical contexts trigger consonant mutations in Cornish:
my (1sg possessive, triggers 3rd state aspirate mutation on the following noun)
your (sg, possessive)
his (3sg masculine possessive)
her (3sg feminine possessive, triggers 3rd state)
their (3pl possessive, triggers 3rd state)
the (definite article, triggers 2nd state on a following feminine singular noun)
two (m, triggers 2nd state on a following noun)
two (f, triggers 2nd state on a following noun)
three (masculine form, triggers 3rd state on a following noun)
three (feminine form, triggers 3rd state on a following noun)
to (preposition, triggers 2nd state)
on (preposition, triggers 2nd state)
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