What links liquids and the velar fricative: the case of Old English Breaking

The aim of the paper is to explore the process of diphthongization which is known in the literature as Old English Breaking. After the discussion of some earlier solutions proposed by researchers working in different theoretical frameworks, we propose a new solution couched in Element Theory (Backley 2011). The main questions we address in this paper concern the context, the effect of breaking and the interaction between the consonants and the preceding front vowels. Additionally, we explore the internal structure of the consonants triggering breaking and try to fi nd the element which links liquids and the velar fricative. The solution proposed here can help to understand the behaviour of velars and liquids in various phonological processes (both historical and in Modern English).