(ii) Intervocal [t] in unaccented syllables sometimes becomes a fricative [θ], e.g., [ʋɑˑtil] door > [ʋɑˑθil].
English [θ] and [ð] are represented in Malayalam by [t] and [d].
Sanskrit final [t] is rendered in Malayalam by [l] instead of [t]: e.g., Skt. [ɦɑṭhɑːt] immediately > [ɦʌṭhɑˑl].
(iv) Sanskrit [t] or [d] in conjunct consonants [ts] or [dm] are naturalised in Malayalam as [l]; Skt. [vɑtseː] dear > [ʋʌlse], [pɑdma] lotus > [pʌlma] and sometimes [pʌlpʌ].
12. and 13. [d] and [dɦ].
These sounds change an immediately following [ʌ] into [ə] or [e], as already shown above: e.g.,
[dʌja] pity > [deja].
[ɑ:dʌrəʋə] kindness > [ɑ:dərəʋə].
[dɦʌnikən] rich man > [dɦənikən].
[dʌmʌjʌnti:] Damayantī, a proper name > [deməjənti].
Affricates.
14. 15. 16. 17. [c͡ʃ], [c͡ʃh], [ɟ͡ʒ], [ɟ͡ʒɦ]. (i) Orthodox grammarians classify these sounds as plosives, but they partake more of the spirant or continuant values of the affricates than of the exploding nature of plosives.
(ii) In Tamil [c͡ʃ] has only the value of a pure fricative [ʃ]: e.g., [tricc͡ʃu:r] Trichur > Tamil [tiriʃʃu:r] [c͡ʃentɑˑmərəi] red lotus > [ʃentɑˑmərəi].
(iii) Initially, the single symbol has always the value of [c͡ʃ] but, otherwise the [c͡ʃ] easily becomes [ʃ]: e.g.,
[ʋic͡ʃɑˑrikkʲuka] to think > [ʋiʃɑˑrikkʲuka].
(iv) A double sound [cc͡ʃ] is a pure affricate where the palatal plosive element is conspicuous, though there is no actual explosion.
(v) All the affricates, like the pure fricatives, change an immediately following [ʌ] into [ə] or [e]: e.g., [pʌŋkʌɟ͡ʒʌm] lotus > [pʌŋkəɟ͡ʒəm];[c͡ʃʌŋŋɑˑti] friend > [c͡ʃeŋŋɑˑti]; [pʌŋkʌɟ͡ʒʌm] lotus > [pʌŋkəɟ͡ʒəm];[ɟ͡ʒʌjʌm] victory > [ɟ͡ʒejəm]; [pʌŋkʌɟ͡ʒʌm] lotus > [pʌŋkəɟ͡ʒəm];
Nasals.
18. [ŋ]. (i) This nasal does not occur initially or singly. It is always found doubled, or in combination with [k], e.g., [ʋɑ:ŋŋuka] to receive; [ʋeŋkʌləm] vessel.
