Fricatives

Fricatives are generally absent from the heaviest creole varieties, with the exception of /s/ – it is usual for stops to substitute for both fricatives and affricates. Sibilant contrasts between /s/, /z/, /ʃ/ and /Ʒ/ are generally merged as /s/.

Where fricatives occur, the voicing contrast is not consistently maintained; devoicing is especially common word-finally. The contrast between /f/ and /v/ appears to be particularly unstable, with /f/ often substituting for /v/. Dental fricatives are typically substituted with stops.

Glottal fricative /h/ is variably maintained in these creoles. Examples of hypercorrection can also be found; for example Tok Pisin hapinum ~ apinum ‘afternoon’.