Lachmann's Law

Lachmann's Law is a principle in historical linguistics stating that when a language branch splits into separate dialects, over time, the sound changes in one dialect tend to influence nearby dialects, causing them to develop similar pronunciation shifts. Essentially, if one dialect undergoes a particular change, neighboring dialects are more likely to adopt similar changes, leading to a gradual convergence of pronunciation patterns among closely situated dialects. This law highlights how geographical proximity can facilitate the spread of linguistic changes within a language family.