phonological universals

Phonological universals are patterns or features that are found in the fundamental sound systems of most human languages worldwide. Despite the vast diversity of languages, certain sound characteristics—like the presence of consonants and vowels, or specific types of sounds—tend to appear across languages. These universals suggest that our brains and vocal apparatus shape language in common ways, reflecting innate or naturally favored sound patterns. Essentially, phonological universals reveal shared principles underlying how humans produce and perceive speech sounds, highlighting both the diversity and the common structure in world languages.