View source for Proto-Circassian language

{{short description|Reconstructed ancestor of the Circassian languages}}
{{cleanup lang|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox proto-language
| name             = Proto-Circassian
| altname = Proto-Adyghe–Kabardian
| familycolor      = Caucasian
| ancestor         = [[Proto-Northwest Caucasian]]
| target = [[Circassian languages]]
}}
'''Proto-Circassian''' (or Proto-Adyghe–Kabardian) is the reconstructed common ancestor of the [[Adyghe language|Adyghean]] and [[Kabardian language|Kabardian]] languages.

==Phonology==
{{cladogram
| cladogram = {{clade
  | label1 = Proto-Circassian
  | 1 =
    {{clade
    | label1 = East Circassian
    | 1 =
      {{clade
      | 1 = [[Kabardian language|Kabardian]]
      | 2 = [[Besleney#Language|Basleney]]
      }}
    | label2 = West Circassian
    | 2 =
      {{clade
      | label1 = Kuban river
      | 1 =
        {{clade
        | 1 = [[Temirgoy]]
        | 2 = [[Abzakh dialect|Abzakh]]
        | 3 = [[Bzhedugh dialect|Bzhedugh]]
        }}
      | label2 = Black Sea coast
      | 2 =
        {{clade
        | 1 = [[Shapsug Adyghe dialect|Shapsug]]
        | 2 = [[Natukhai#Language|Natkhuaja]]
        }}
      }}
    }}
  }}
  | caption = A Circassian dialects family tree.
}}
[[File:CircassianDialectsDifferencesEnglish3.jpg|250px|thumb|The major differences in the Circassian dialects]]

===Consonants===
The consonant system is reconstructed with a four-way [[phonation]] contrast in [[stop consonant|stops]] and [[affricate consonant|affricates]], and a two-way contrast in [[fricative consonant|fricatives]].

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
! rowspan="2" | Proto<br/>Circassian
! colspan="5" | [[Adyghe language|Western Circassian]]
! colspan="3" | [[Kabardian language|Eastern Circassian]]
|-
! Proto<br />Western
! [[Shapsug Adyghe dialect|Shapsug]]
! [[Bzhedug Adyghe dialect|Bzhedug]]
! [[Adyghe language|Chemgui]]
! [[Abzakh Adyghe dialect|Abzakh]]
! Proto<br />Eastern
! [[Besleney language|Besleney]]
! [[Kabardian language|Kabardian]]
|-
| *{{IPA link|b}} {{angle bracket|б}}
| *{{IPA link|b}} {{angle bracket|б}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|b}} {{angle bracket|б}}
| *{{IPA link|b}} {{angle bracket|б}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|b}} {{angle bracket|б}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|p}} {{angle bracket|п}}
| *{{IPA link|p}} {{angle bracket|п}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|p}} {{angle bracket|п}}
| *{{IPA link|b}} {{angle bracket|б}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|b}} {{angle bracket|б}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|pʰ}} {{angle bracket|пʰ}}
| *{{IPA link|pʰ}} {{angle bracket|пʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|pʰ}} {{angle bracket|пʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|p}} {{angle bracket|п}}
| *{{IPA link|p}} {{angle bracket|п}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|p}} {{angle bracket|п}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|pʼ}} {{angle bracket|пӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|pʼ}} {{angle bracket|пӏ}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|pʼ}} {{angle bracket|пӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|pʼ}} {{angle bracket|пӏ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|pʼ}} {{angle bracket|пӏ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|d}} {{angle bracket|д}}
| *{{IPA link|d}} {{angle bracket|д}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|d}} {{angle bracket|д}}
| *{{IPA link|d}} {{angle bracket|д}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|d}} {{angle bracket|д}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|t}} {{angle bracket|т}}
| *{{IPA link|t}} {{angle bracket|т}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|t}} {{angle bracket|т}}
| *{{IPA link|d}} {{angle bracket|д}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|d}} {{angle bracket|д}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|tʰ}} {{angle bracket|тʰ}}
| *{{IPA link|tʰ}} {{angle bracket|тʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|tʰ}} {{angle bracket|тʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|t}} {{angle bracket|т}}
| *{{IPA link|t}} {{angle bracket|т}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|t}} {{angle bracket|т}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|tʼ}} {{angle bracket|тӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|tʼ}} {{angle bracket|тӏ}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|tʼ}} {{angle bracket|тӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|tʼ}} {{angle bracket|тӏ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|tʼ}} {{angle bracket|тӏ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ɡ|ɡʲ}} {{angle bracket|гь}}
| *{{IPA link|ɡ|ɡʲ}} {{angle bracket|гь}}
| {{IPA link|ɡ|ɡʲ}} {{angle bracket|гь}}
| colspan="3" | {{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
| *{{IPA link|ɡ|ɡʲ}} {{angle bracket|гь}}
| {{IPA link|ɡ|ɡʲ}} {{angle bracket|гь}}
| {{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|k|kʲ}} {{angle bracket|кь}}
| *{{IPA link|k|kʲ}} {{angle bracket|кь}}
| {{IPA link|k|kʲ}} {{angle bracket|кь}}
| colspan="3" | {{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}}
| *{{IPA link|ɡ|ɡʲ}} {{angle bracket|гь}}
| {{IPA link|ɡ|ɡʲ}} {{angle bracket|гь}}
| {{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʰ|kʲʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰь}}
| *{{IPA link|ʰ|kʲʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰь}}
| {{IPA link|ʰ|kʲʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰь}}
| {{IPA link|ʰ|t͡ʃʰ}} {{angle bracket|чʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}}
| *{{IPA link|k|kʲ}} {{angle bracket|кь}}
| {{IPA link|k|kʲ}} {{angle bracket|кь}}
| {{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|kʼ|kʲʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏь}}
| *{{IPA link|kʼ|kʲʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏь}}
| {{IPA link|kʼ|kʲʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏь}}
| colspan="3" | {{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|kʼ|kʲʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏь}}
| {{IPA link|kʼ|kʲʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏь}}
| {{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ɡʷ}} {{angle bracket|гу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ɡʷ}} {{angle bracket|гу}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʷ|ɡʷ}} {{angle bracket|гу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ɡʷ}} {{angle bracket|гу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|ɡʷ}} {{angle bracket|гу}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|kʷ}} {{angle bracket|ку}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|kʷ}} {{angle bracket|ку}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʷ|kʷ}} {{angle bracket|ку}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ɡʷ}} {{angle bracket|гу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|ɡʷ}} {{angle bracket|гу}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|kʷʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|kʷʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|kʷʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|kʷ}} {{angle bracket|ку}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|kʷ}} {{angle bracket|ку}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|kʷ}} {{angle bracket|ку}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|kʷʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|kʷʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏу}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʷ|kʷʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|kʷʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|kʷʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏу}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|q}} {{angle bracket|къ}}
| *{{IPA link|q}} {{angle bracket|къ}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|q}} {{angle bracket|къ}}
| *{{IPA link|q}} {{angle bracket|къ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|q}} {{angle bracket|къ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|qʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰъ}}
| *{{IPA link|qʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰъ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|qʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰъ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|q}} {{angle bracket|къ}}
| *{{IPA link|q͡χ}} {{angle bracket|кхъ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|q͡χ}} {{angle bracket|кхъ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|qʷ}} {{angle bracket|къу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|qʷ}} {{angle bracket|къу}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʷ|qʷ}} {{angle bracket|къу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|qʷ}} {{angle bracket|къу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|qʷ}} {{angle bracket|къу}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|qʷʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰъу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|qʷʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰъу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|qʷʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰъу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|qʷ}} {{angle bracket|къу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|q͡χʷ}} {{angle bracket|кхъу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|q͡χʷ}} {{angle bracket|кхъу}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|d͡z}} {{angle bracket|дз}}
| *{{IPA link|d͡z}} {{angle bracket|дз}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|d͡z}} {{angle bracket|дз}}
| *{{IPA link|d͡z}} {{angle bracket|дз}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|d͡z}} {{angle bracket|дз}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|t͡s}} {{angle bracket|ц}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡s}} {{angle bracket|ц}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|t͡s}} {{angle bracket|ц}}
| *{{IPA link|d͡z}} {{angle bracket|дз}}
| colspan="2" |{{IPA link|d͡z}} {{angle bracket|дз}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|t͡sʰ}} {{angle bracket|цʰ}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡sʰ}} {{angle bracket|цʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|t͡sʰ}} {{angle bracket|цʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|t͡s}} {{angle bracket|ц}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡s}} {{angle bracket|ц}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|t͡s}} {{angle bracket|ц}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|t͡sʼ}} {{angle bracket|цӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡sʼ}} {{angle bracket|цӏ}}
| {{IPA link|t͡sʼ}} / {{IPA link|sʼ}} {{angle bracket|цӏ / сӏ}}
| colspan="3" | {{IPA link|t͡sʼ}} {{angle bracket|цӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡sʼ}} {{angle bracket|цӏ}}
| colspan="2" |{{IPA link|t͡sʼ}} {{angle bracket|цӏ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|d͡ʑʷ}} {{angle bracket|джъу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|d͡ʑʷ}} {{angle bracket|джъу}}
| {{IPA link|ʷ|ʑʷ}} {{angle bracket|жьу}}
| {{IPA link|ʷ|ʒʷ}} {{angle bracket|жъу}}
| {{IPA link|ʷ|d͡zʷ}} {{angle bracket|дзу}}
| {{IPA link|ʷ|ʒʷ}} {{angle bracket|жъу}}
| *{{IPA link|v}} {{angle bracket|в}}
| colspan="2" |{{IPA link|v}} {{angle bracket|в}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|чъу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|чъу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|чъу}}
| {{IPA link|ʷ|t͡sʷ}} {{angle bracket|цу}}
| {{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|чъу}}
| *{{IPA link|v}} {{angle bracket|в}}
| colspan="2" |{{IPA link|v}} {{angle bracket|в}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷʰ}} {{angle bracket|чъʰу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷʰ}} {{angle bracket|чъʰу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷʰ}} {{angle bracket|чъʰу}}
| {{IPA link|ʷ|t͡sʷ}} {{angle bracket|цу}}
| {{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|чъу}}
| *{{IPA link|f}} {{angle bracket|ф}}
| colspan="2" |{{IPA link|f}} {{angle bracket|ф}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
| *{{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
| colspan="3" | {{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
| {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
| *{{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
| {{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
| {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}}
| colspan="3" | {{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}}
| {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| *{{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
| {{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
| {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʂ}} {{angle bracket|чъ}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʂ}} {{angle bracket|чъ}}
| {{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|t͡ʂ}} {{angle bracket|чъ}}
| {{IPA link|ʂ}} {{angle bracket|шъ}}
| *{{IPA link|d͡ʐ}} {{angle bracket|джъ}}
| {{IPA link|d͡ʐ}} {{angle bracket|джъ}}
| {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʃʰ}} {{angle bracket|чʰ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʰ|ʃʰ}} {{angle bracket|шʰ}}
| colspan="2" |  {{IPA link|ʰ|ʃʰ}} {{angle bracket|шʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}}
| {{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}}
| {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʂʰ}} {{angle bracket|чʰъ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʰ|ʃʰ}} {{angle bracket|шʰ}}
| colspan="2" |{{IPA link|ʰ|ʃʰ}} {{angle bracket|шʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʂ}} {{angle bracket|чъ}}
| {{IPA link|t͡ʂ}} {{angle bracket|чъ}}
| {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏ}}
| colspan="3" | {{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏ}}
| {{IPA link|ɕʼ}} / {{IPA link|ʔ|ʔʲ}} {{angle bracket|щӏ / ӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏ}}
| {{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏ}}
| {{IPA link|ɕʼ}} {{angle bracket|щӏ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʂʼ}} {{angle bracket|чӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʂʼ}} {{angle bracket|чӏ}}
| {{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|t͡ʂʼ}} {{angle bracket|чӏ}}
| {{IPA link|ɕʼ}} / {{IPA link|ʔ|ʔʲ}} {{angle bracket|щӏ / ӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|t͡ʂʼ}} {{angle bracket|чӏ}}
| {{IPA link|t͡ʂʼ}} {{angle bracket|чӏ}}
| {{IPA link|ɕʼ}} {{angle bracket|щӏ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|z}} {{angle bracket|з}}
| *{{IPA link|z}} {{angle bracket|з}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|z}} {{angle bracket|з}}
| *{{IPA link|z}} {{angle bracket|з}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|z}} {{angle bracket|з}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|s}} {{angle bracket|с}}
| *{{IPA link|s}} {{angle bracket|с}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|s}} {{angle bracket|с}}
| *{{IPA link|s}} {{angle bracket|с}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|s}} {{angle bracket|с}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʑ}} {{angle bracket|жь}}
| *{{IPA link|ʑ}} {{angle bracket|жь}}
| {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
| colspan="3" | {{IPA link|ʑ}} {{angle bracket|жь}}
| *{{IPA link|ʑ}} {{angle bracket|жь}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʑ}} {{angle bracket|жь}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ɕ}} {{angle bracket|щ}}
| *{{IPA link|ɕ}} {{angle bracket|щ}}
| {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| colspan="3" | {{IPA link|ɕ}} {{angle bracket|щ}}
| *{{IPA link|ɕ}} {{angle bracket|щ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ɕ}} {{angle bracket|щ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ɕʼ}} {{angle bracket|шӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|шӏ}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|шӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|ɕʼ}} {{angle bracket|щӏ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ɕʼ}} {{angle bracket|щӏ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ʑʷ}} {{angle bracket|жъу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ʑʷ}} {{angle bracket|жъу}}
| {{IPA link|ʷ|ʑʷ}} {{angle bracket|жьу}}
| colspan="3" | {{IPA link|ʷ|ʐʷ}} {{angle bracket|жъу}}
| *{{IPA link|v}} {{angle bracket|в}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|v}} {{angle bracket|в}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|шъу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|шъу}}
| {{IPA link|ʷ|ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|щу}}
| colspan="3" | {{IPA link|ʷ|ʂʷ}} {{angle bracket|шъу}}
| *{{IPA link|f}} {{angle bracket|ф}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|f}} {{angle bracket|ф}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ɕʷʼ}} {{angle bracket|шӏу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ʃʷʼ}} {{angle bracket|шӏу}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʷ|ʃʷʼ}} {{angle bracket|шӏу}}
| *{{IPA link|fʼ}} {{angle bracket|фӏ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|fʼ}} {{angle bracket|фӏ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
| *{{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
| *{{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
| {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
| {{IPA link|ʑ}} {{angle bracket|жь}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʐ}} {{angle bracket|жъ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʐ}} {{angle bracket|жъ}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʐ}} {{angle bracket|жъ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʐ}} {{angle bracket|жъ}}
| {{IPA link|ʐ}} {{angle bracket|жъ}}
| {{IPA link|ʑ}} {{angle bracket|жь}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| *{{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| *{{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| {{IPA link|ɕ}} {{angle bracket|щ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʂ}} {{angle bracket|шъ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʂ}} {{angle bracket|шъ}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʂ}} {{angle bracket|шъ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʂ}} {{angle bracket|шъ}}
| {{IPA link|ʂ}} {{angle bracket|шъ}}
| {{IPA link|ɕ}} {{angle bracket|щ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʰ|ʃʰ}} {{angle bracket|шʰ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʰ|ʃʰ}} {{angle bracket|шʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʰ|ʃʰ}} {{angle bracket|шʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| *{{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| {{IPA link|ɕ}} {{angle bracket|щ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʂʰ}} {{angle bracket|шʰъ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʰ|ʃʰ}} {{angle bracket|шʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʰ|ʃʰ}} {{angle bracket|шʰ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
| *{{IPA link|ʂ}} {{angle bracket|шъ}}
| {{IPA link|ʂ}} {{angle bracket|шъ}}
| {{IPA link|ɕ}} {{angle bracket|щ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ɮ}} {{angle bracket|л}}
| *{{IPA link|ɮ}} {{angle bracket|л}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ɮ}} {{angle bracket|л}}
| *{{IPA link|ɮ}} {{angle bracket|л}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ɮ}} {{angle bracket|л}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ɬ}} {{angle bracket|лъ}}
| *{{IPA link|ɬ}} {{angle bracket|лъ}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ɬ}} {{angle bracket|лъ}}
| *{{IPA link|ɬ}} {{angle bracket|лъ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ɬ}} {{angle bracket|лъ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ɬʼ}} {{angle bracket|лӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|ɬʼ}} {{angle bracket|лӏ}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ɬʼ}} {{angle bracket|лӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|ɬʼ}} {{angle bracket|лӏ}}
| {{IPA link|t͡ɬʼ}} {{angle bracket|тлӏ}}
| {{IPA link|ɬʼ}} {{angle bracket|лӏ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ɣ}} {{angle bracket|г}}
| *{{IPA link|ɣ}} {{angle bracket|г}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ɣ}} {{angle bracket|г}}
| *{{IPA link|ɣ}} {{angle bracket|г}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ɣ}} {{angle bracket|г}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|x}} {{angle bracket|х}}
| *{{IPA link|x}} {{angle bracket|х}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|x}} {{angle bracket|х}}
| *{{IPA link|x}} {{angle bracket|х}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|x}} {{angle bracket|х}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|xʷ}} {{angle bracket|ху}}
| *{{IPA link|f}} {{angle bracket|ф}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|f}} {{angle bracket|ф}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|xʷ}} {{angle bracket|ху}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|xʷ}} {{angle bracket|ху}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʁ}} {{angle bracket|гъ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʁ}} {{angle bracket|гъ}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʁ}} {{angle bracket|гъ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʁ}} {{angle bracket|гъ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʁ}} {{angle bracket|гъ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ʁʷ}} {{angle bracket|гъу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ʁʷ}} {{angle bracket|гъу}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʷ|ʁʷ}} {{angle bracket|гъу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ʁʷ}} {{angle bracket|гъу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|ʁʷ}} {{angle bracket|гъу}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|χ}} {{angle bracket|хъ}}
| *{{IPA link|χ}} {{angle bracket|хъ}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|χ}} {{angle bracket|хъ}}
| *{{IPA link|χ}} {{angle bracket|хъ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|χ}} {{angle bracket|хъ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|χʷ}} {{angle bracket|хъу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|χʷ}} {{angle bracket|хъу}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʷ|χʷ}} {{angle bracket|хъу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|χʷ}} {{angle bracket|хъу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|χʷ}} {{angle bracket|хъу}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ħ}} {{angle bracket|хь}}
| *{{IPA link|ħ}} {{angle bracket|хь}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ħ}} {{angle bracket|хь}}
| *{{IPA link|ħ}} {{angle bracket|хь}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ħ}} {{angle bracket|хь}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|m}} {{angle bracket|м}}
| *{{IPA link|m}} {{angle bracket|м}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|m}} {{angle bracket|м}}
| *{{IPA link|m}} {{angle bracket|м}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|m}} {{angle bracket|м}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|n}} {{angle bracket|н}}
| *{{IPA link|n}} {{angle bracket|н}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|n}} {{angle bracket|н}}
| *{{IPA link|n}} {{angle bracket|н}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|n}} {{angle bracket|н}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|r}} {{angle bracket|р}}
| *{{IPA link|r}} {{angle bracket|р}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|r}} {{angle bracket|р}}
| *{{IPA link|r}} {{angle bracket|р}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|r}} {{angle bracket|р}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|w}} {{angle bracket|у}}
| *{{IPA link|w}} {{angle bracket|у}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|w}} {{angle bracket|у}}
| *{{IPA link|w}} {{angle bracket|у}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|w}} {{angle bracket|у}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|j}} {{angle bracket|й}}
| *{{IPA link|j}} {{angle bracket|й}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|j}} {{angle bracket|й}}
| *{{IPA link|j}} {{angle bracket|й}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|j}} {{angle bracket|й}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʔ}} {{angle bracket|ӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʔ}} {{angle bracket|ӏ}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʔ}} {{angle bracket|ӏ}}
| *{{IPA link|ʔ}} {{angle bracket|ӏ}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʔ}} {{angle bracket|ӏ}}
|-
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ʔʷ}} {{angle bracket|ӏу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ʔʷ}} {{angle bracket|ӏу}}
| colspan="4" | {{IPA link|ʷ|ʔʷ}} {{angle bracket|ӏу}}
| *{{IPA link|ʷ|ʔʷ}} {{angle bracket|ӏу}}
| colspan="2" | {{IPA link|ʷ|ʔʷ}} {{angle bracket|ӏу}}
|}

===Aspirated consonants to plain===
In the Proto-Circassian there was a series of [[aspirated consonants]] that survived in the Shapsug and Bzhedugh dialect while they became plain consonants in the other dialects.

*{{IPA link|ʰ|pʰ}} {{angle bracket|пʰ}} → {{IPA link|p}} {{angle bracket|п}}
*{{IPA link|ʰ|tʰ}} {{angle bracket|тʰ}} → {{IPA link|t}} {{angle bracket|т}}
*{{IPA link|ʰ|kʲʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰь}} → {{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}}
*{{IPA link|ʰ|kʷʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰу}} → {{IPA link|ʷ|kʷ}} {{angle bracket|ку}}
*{{IPA link|ʰ|qʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰъ}} → {{IPA link|q}} {{angle bracket|къ}}
*{{IPA link|ʰ|qʷʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰъу}} → {{IPA link|ʷ|qʷ}} {{angle bracket|къу}}
*{{IPA link|ʰ|t͡sʰ}} {{angle bracket|цʰ}} → {{IPA link|t͡s}} {{angle bracket|ц}}
*{{IPA link|ʰ|t͡ɕʷʰ}} {{angle bracket|чʰу}} → {{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|чу}}
*{{IPA link|ʰ|ʃʰ}} {{angle bracket|шʰ}} → {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}}
*{{IPA link|ʰ|ʂʰ}} {{angle bracket|шʰъ}} → {{IPA link|ʂ}} {{angle bracket|шъ}}

{| class="wikitable" border="1" text-align="right" 
! Word
! Proto<br />Circassian
! Shapsug<br />Bzhedug
! Abzakh<br />Chemgui
! Kabardian
|-
| noise
| pʰa {{angle bracket|пʰэ}}
| pʰa {{angle bracket|пʰэ}}
| pa {{angle bracket|пэ}}
| pa {{angle bracket|пэ}}
|-
| sharp
| pʰaːɣa {{angle bracket|пʰагэ}}
| pʰaːɣa {{angle bracket|пʰагэ}}
| paːɣa {{angle bracket|пагэ}}
| paːɣa {{angle bracket|пагэ}}
|-
| pillow
| ʂħaːntʰa {{angle bracket|шъхьантʰэ}}
| ʂħaːtʰa {{angle bracket|шъхьатʰэ}}
| ʂħaːnta {{angle bracket|шъхьантэ}}
| ɕħaːnta {{angle bracket|щхьантэ}}
|-
| wool
| t͡sʰə {{angle bracket|цʰы}}
| t͡sʰə {{angle bracket|цʰы}}
| t͡sə {{angle bracket|цы}}
| t͡sə {{angle bracket|цы}}
|-
| brother
| t͡ʃʰə {{angle bracket|чʰы}}
| ʃʰə {{angle bracket|шʰы}}
| ʃə {{angle bracket|шы}}
| qʷaʃ {{angle bracket|къуэш}}
|-
| lame
| ɬaːʃʰa {{angle bracket|лъашʰэ}}
| ɬaːʃʰa {{angle bracket|лъашʰэ}}
| ɬaːʃa {{angle bracket|лъашэ}}
| ɬaːʃa {{angle bracket|лъашэ}}
|-
| thigh
| kʷʰa {{angle bracket|кʰо}}
| kʷʰa {{angle bracket|кʰо}}
| kʷa {{angle bracket|ко}}
| kʷa {{angle bracket|куэ}}
|-
| grave
| qʰa {{angle bracket|кʰъэ}}
| qʰa {{angle bracket|кʰъэ}}
| qa {{angle bracket|къэ}}
| q͡χa {{angle bracket|кхъэ}}
|-
| pig
| qʷʰa {{angle bracket|кʰъо}}
| qʷʰa {{angle bracket|кʰъо}}
| qʷa {{angle bracket|къо}}
| q͡χʷa {{angle bracket|кхъуэ}}
|}

===Plain voiceless consonants to voiced ===
In the Proto-Circassian there was a series of [[tense consonant]]s that became voiced in the eastern dialects.

*{{IPA link|p}} {{angle bracket|п}} → {{IPA link|b}} {{angle bracket|б}}
*{{IPA link|t}} {{angle bracket|т}} → {{IPA link|d}} {{angle bracket|д}}
*{{IPA link|t͡s}} {{angle bracket|ц}} → {{IPA link|d͡z}} {{angle bracket|дз}}
*{{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|цу}} → {{IPA link|v}} {{angle bracket|в}}
*{{IPA link|k|kʲ}} {{angle bracket|кь}} → {{IPA link|ɡ|ɡʲ}} {{angle bracket|гь}} / {{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
*{{IPA link|ʷ|kʷ}} {{angle bracket|ку}} → {{IPA link|ʷ|ɡʷ}} {{angle bracket|гу}}
*{{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}} → {{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}} / {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
*{{IPA link|t͡ʂ}} {{angle bracket|чъ}} → {{IPA link|d͡ʐ}} {{angle bracket|джъ}} / {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}

{| class="wikitable" border="1" text-align="right" 
! Word
! Proto<br />Circassian
! Bzhedug<br />Chemgui
! Baslaney
! Kabardian
|-
| we
| ta {{angle bracket|тэ}}
| ta {{angle bracket|тэ}}
| da {{angle bracket|дэ}}
| da {{angle bracket|дэ}}
|-
| leader
| tħamaːta {{angle bracket|тхьэматэ}}
| tħamaːta {{angle bracket|тхьэматэ}}
| tħamaːda {{angle bracket|тхьэмадэ}}
| tħamaːda {{angle bracket|тхьэмадэ}}
|-
| fish
| pt͡saʐəja {{angle bracket|пцэжъые}}
| pt͡saʐəja {{angle bracket|пцэжъые}}
| bd͡zaʐej {{angle bracket|бдзэжъей}}
| bd͡zaʑej {{angle bracket|бдзэжьей}}
|-
| glass
| aːpkʲ {{angle bracket|апкь}}
| aːpt͡ʃ {{angle bracket|апч}}
| ʔaːbɡʲ {{angle bracket|абгь}}
| ʔaːbd͡ʒ {{angle bracket|абдж}}
|-
| chicken
| kʲat {{angle bracket|кьэт}}
| t͡ʃatə {{angle bracket|чэты}}
| ɡʲad {{angle bracket|гьэд}}
| d͡ʒad {{angle bracket|джэд}}
|-
| night
| t͡ʃaɕ {{angle bracket|чэщ}}
| t͡ʃaɕə {{angle bracket|чэщы}}
| d͡ʒaɕ {{angle bracket|джэщ}}
| ʒaɕ {{angle bracket|жэщ}}
|-
| village
| t͡ʃəɮa {{angle bracket|чылэ}}
| t͡ʃəɮa {{angle bracket|чылэ}}
| d͡ʒəɮa {{angle bracket|джылэ}}
| ʒəɮa {{angle bracket|жылэ}}
|-
| cow
| t͡ʃam {{angle bracket|чэм}}
| t͡ʃamə {{angle bracket|чэмы}}
| d͡ʒam {{angle bracket|джэм}}
| ʒam {{angle bracket|жэм}}
|-
| tree
| t͡ʂəɣ {{angle bracket|чъыг}}
| t͡ʂəɣə {{angle bracket|чъыгы}}
| d͡ʐəɣ {{angle bracket|джъыг}}
| ʒəɣ {{angle bracket|жыг}}
|-
| mouse
| t͡səʁʷa {{angle bracket|цыгъо}}
| t͡səʁʷa {{angle bracket|цыгъо}}
| d͡zəʁʷa {{angle bracket|дзыгъуэ}}
| d͡zəʁʷa {{angle bracket|дзыгъуэ}}
|-
| short
| kʲʼaːkʷa {{angle bracket|кӏьако}}
| t͡ʃʼaːkʷa {{angle bracket|кӏако}}
| kʲʼaːɡʷa {{angle bracket|кӏьагуэ}}
| t͡ʃʼaːɡʷa {{angle bracket|кӏагуэ}}
|-
| wheat
| kʷat͡s {{angle bracket|коц}}
| kʷat͡sə {{angle bracket|коцы}}
| ɡʷad͡z {{angle bracket|гуэдз}}
| ɡʷad͡z {{angle bracket|гуэдз}}
|}

===Velar consonants to palato-alveolar===
In the Proto-Circassian language there exist a palatalized [[voiced velar stop]] {{IPA|[ɡʲ]}} {{angle bracket|гь}}, a palatalized aspirated [[voiceless velar stop]] {{IPA|[kʲʰ]}}, a palatalized [[voiceless velar stop]] {{IPA|[kʲ]}} {{angle bracket|кь}} and a palatalized [[velar ejective]] {{IPA|[kʲʼ]}} {{angle bracket|кӏь}}. The consonants гь {{IPAblink|ɡ|ɡʲ}}, кь {{IPAblink|k|kʲ}} and кӏь {{IPAblink|kʼ|kʲʼ}} survive in the [[Shapsug Adyghe dialect|Shapsug dialect]], in the [[Besleney language|Besleney dialect]] and in the Kabardian Uzunyayla dialect.<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/1888554/%D0%9A%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%B0_%D1%83%D0%BB%D1%8F%D0%BF%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%BE_%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0_%D0%B2_%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B8_%D1%81_%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B8_%D0%B4%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B8%D1%85_%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2_%D0%B0%D0%B4%D1%8B%D0%B3%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%85_%D1%8F%D0%B7%D1%8B%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2 Консонантная система уляпского говора в сопоставлении с аналогами других диалектов адыгских языков] {{in lang|ru}}</ref> In other Circassian dialects they were merged with the [[palato-alveolar consonant|palato-alveolar]] consonants дж {{IPAblink|d͡ʒ}}, ч {{IPAblink|t͡ʃ}} and кӏ {{IPAblink|t͡ʃʼ}} respectively.<ref>[http://adygeya-republic.info/adyghe-language/detalno/foneticheskie-izmenenija-soglasnykh/palatalizacija-smjagchenie-i-affrikatizacija-soglasnykh/ Палатализация (смягчение) и аффрикатизация согласных] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713055635/http://adygeya-republic.info/adyghe-language/detalno/foneticheskie-izmenenija-soglasnykh/palatalizacija-smjagchenie-i-affrikatizacija-soglasnykh/ |date=2015-07-13 }} {{in lang|ru}}</ref><ref>[http://adygeya-republic.info/adyghe-language/detalno/soglasnye-bukvy/smychnye-soglasnye/perednejazychnye-mjagkie-shipjashchie-affrikaty-dzh-ch-k1/ Переднеязычные мягкие шипящие аффрикаты дж, ч, к1] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713055635/http://adygeya-republic.info/adyghe-language/detalno/soglasnye-bukvy/smychnye-soglasnye/perednejazychnye-mjagkie-shipjashchie-affrikaty-dzh-ch-k1/ |date=2015-07-13 }} {{in lang|ru}}</ref><ref>[http://apsnyteka.org/file/smeets_ubykh_circassian.pdf Studia Caucasologica I page 11] {{in lang|en}}</ref>

*{{IPA link|ɡ|ɡʲ}} {{angle bracket|гь}} → {{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
*{{IPA link|ʰ|kʲʰ}} {{angle bracket|кʰь}} → {{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}}
*{{IPA link|k|kʲ}} {{angle bracket|кь}} → {{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}} / {{IPA link|ɡ|ɡʲ}} {{angle bracket|гь}} / {{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
*{{IPA link|kʼ|kʲʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏь}} → {{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏ}}

{| class="wikitable" border="1" text-align="right" 
! Word
! Proto<br />Circassian
! Shapsug
! Bzhedug<br />Chemgui<br />Abzakh
! Baslaney
! Kabardian
|-
| to cough
| pskʲʰan {{angle bracket|пскʰьэн}}
| pskʲʰan {{angle bracket|пскʰьэн}}
| pst͡ʃan {{angle bracket|псчэн}}
| pskʲan {{angle bracket|пскьэн}}
| pst͡ʃan {{angle bracket|псчэн}}
|-
| game
| ɡʲaɡʷ {{angle bracket|гьэгу}}
| ɡʲaɡʷ {{angle bracket|гьэгу}}
| d͡ʒaɡʷ {{angle bracket|джэгу}}
| ɡʲaɡʷ {{angle bracket|гьэгу}}
| d͡ʒaɡʷ {{angle bracket|джэгу}}
|-
| shirt
| ɡʲaːna {{angle bracket|гьанэ}}
| ɡʲaːna {{angle bracket|гьанэ}}
| d͡ʒːna {{angle bracket|джанэ}}
| ɡʲaːna {{angle bracket|гьанэ}}
| d͡ʒːna {{angle bracket|джанэ}}
|-
| glass
| aːpkʲ {{angle bracket|апкь}}
| aːpkʲ {{angle bracket|апкь}}
| aːpt͡ʃ {{angle bracket|апч}}
| ʔaːbɡʲ {{angle bracket|абгь}}
| ʔaːbd͡ʒ {{angle bracket|абдж}}
|-
| chicken
| kʲat {{angle bracket|кьэт}}
| kʲat {{angle bracket|кьэт}}
| t͡ʃatə {{angle bracket|чэты}}
| ɡʲad {{angle bracket|гьэд}}
| d͡ʒad {{angle bracket|джэд}}
|-
| short
| kʲʼaːkʷa {{angle bracket|кӏьако}}
| kʲʼaːkʷa {{angle bracket|кӏьако}}
| t͡ʃʼaːkʷa {{angle bracket|кӏако}}
| kʲʼaːɡʷa {{angle bracket|кӏьагуэ}}
| t͡ʃʼaːɡʷa {{angle bracket|кӏагуэ}}
|-
| rope
| kʲʼaːpsa {{angle bracket|кӏьапсэ}}
| kʲʼaːpsa {{angle bracket|кӏьапсэ}}
| t͡ʃʼaːpsa {{angle bracket|кӏапсэ}}
| kʲʼaːpsa {{angle bracket|кӏьапсэ}}
| t͡ʃʼaːpsa {{angle bracket|кӏапсэ}}
|}

===Affricate to fricative===
Historically, Proto-Circassian had 6 distinct consonants:
*{{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}}
*{{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}}
*{{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏ}}
*{{IPA link|ɡʲ}} {{angle bracket|гь}}
*{{IPA link|kʲ}} {{angle bracket|кь}}
*{{IPA link|kʲʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏь}}
Then, in the Abzakh and Kabardian dialects, the affricate [[postalveolar consonant]]s became fricative:
*{{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}} → {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
*{{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}} → {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}} / {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
*{{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏ}} → {{IPA link|ɕʼ}} {{angle bracket|щӏ}}
*{{IPA link|t͡ʂ}} {{angle bracket|чъ}} → {{IPA link|ʂ}} {{angle bracket|шъ}} / {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
*{{IPA link|t͡ʂʼ}} {{angle bracket|чӏ}} → {{IPA link|ɕʼ}} {{angle bracket|щӏ}}
For example:
*The Proto-Circassian word кӏэкӏьын "to come out from under" became щӏэкӏьын in Kabardian and ӏекӏьын in Abzakh.
*The Proto-Circassian word кӏэгъуэжьын "to regret" became щӏэгъуэжын in Kabardian & ӏегъуэжьын Abzakh.
*The Proto-Circassian word пакӏэ "mustache" became пащӏэ in both Kabardian & Abzakh.
*The Proto-Circassian word кӏалэ "boy; young man" became щӏалэ in Kabardian and ӏелэ in Abzakh.
*The Proto-Circassian word кӏымахуэ "summer" became щӏымахуэ in Kabardian and щӏымафэ in Abzakh.
*The Proto-Circassian word кӏэ "new" became щӏэ in both Kabardian & Abzakh.
But words like кӏьапсэ "rope", кӏьакуэ "short" & кӏьэ "tail" were still pronounced with {{IPA link|kʲʼ}}.

Later on, in the majority of Circassian dialects (both Adyghe and Kabardian dialects), the velar consonants гь {{IPAblink|ɡ|ɡʲ}}, кь {{IPAblink|k|kʲ}} and кӏь {{IPAblink|kʼ|kʲʼ}} became [[palato-alveolar consonant|palato-alveolar]] consonants дж {{IPAblink|d͡ʒ}}, ч {{IPAblink|t͡ʃ}} and кӏ {{IPAblink|t͡ʃʼ}} respectively. Now words like кӏапсэ "rope", кӏакуэ "short" & кӏэ "tail" were pronounced with {{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}}.

For example, in the following table, you can see how the words "new" & "tail" are distinct in all dialects except Bzhedug & Chemgui.
{| class="wikitable" border="1" text-align="right" 
! Word
! Proto<br />Circassian
! Shapsug
! Bzhedug<br />Chemgui
! Abzakh
! Baslaney
! Standard Kabardian
! Some Kabardian dialects
|-
| tail
| kʲʼa {{angle bracket|кӏьэ}}
| kʲʼa {{angle bracket|кӏьэ}}
| t͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|кӏэ}}
| t͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|кӏэ}}
| kʲʼa {{angle bracket|кӏьэ}}
| t͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|кӏэ}}
| kʲʼa {{angle bracket|кӏьэ}}
|-
| new
| t͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|кӏэ}}
| t͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|кӏэ}}
| t͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|кӏэ}}
| ʃʼa {{angle bracket|щӏэ}}
| t͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|кӏьэ}}
| ʃʼa {{angle bracket|щӏэ}}
| ʃʼa {{angle bracket|щӏэ}}
|-
| summer
| t͡ʃʼəmaːxʷa {{angle bracket|кӏымахуэ}}
| t͡ʃʼəmaːfa {{angle bracket|кӏымафэ}}
| t͡ʃʼəmaːfa {{angle bracket|кӏымафэ}}
| ʃʼəmaːfa {{angle bracket|щӏымафэ}}
| t͡ʃʼəmaːxʷa {{angle bracket|кӏымахуэ}}
| ʃʼəmaːxʷa {{angle bracket|щӏымахуэ}}
| ʃʼəmaːxʷa {{angle bracket|щӏымахуэ}}
|-
| mustache
| paːt͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|пакӏэ}}
| paːt͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|пакӏэ}}
| paːt͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|пакӏэ}}
| paːʃʼa {{angle bracket|пащӏэ}}
| paːt͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|пакӏэ}}
| paːʃʼa {{angle bracket|пащӏэ}}
| paːʃʼa {{angle bracket|пащӏэ}}
|}

The way the affricate [[postalveolar consonant]]s became fricative in the Abzakh and the Kabardian dialects:
*{{IPA link|d͡ʒ}} {{angle bracket|дж}} → {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
*{{IPA link|t͡ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ч}} → {{IPA link|ʃ}} {{angle bracket|ш}} / {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
*{{IPA link|t͡ʃʼ}} {{angle bracket|кӏ}} → {{IPA link|ɕʼ}} {{angle bracket|щӏ}}
*{{IPA link|t͡ʂ}} {{angle bracket|чъ}} → {{IPA link|ʂ}} {{angle bracket|шъ}} / {{IPA link|ʒ}} {{angle bracket|ж}}
*{{IPA link|t͡ʂʼ}} {{angle bracket|чӏ}} → {{IPA link|ɕʼ}} {{angle bracket|щӏ}}

{| class="wikitable" border="1" text-align="right" 
! Word
! Proto<br />Circassian
! Bzhedug<br />Chemgui
! Abzakh
! Baslaney
! Kabardian
|-
| fox
| baːd͡ʒa {{angle bracket|баджэ}}
| baːd͡ʒa {{angle bracket|баджэ}}
| baːʒa {{angle bracket|бажэ}}
| baːd͡ʒa {{angle bracket|баджэ}}
| baːʒa {{angle bracket|бажэ}}
|-
| village
| qʷaːd͡ʒa {{angle bracket|къуаджэ}}
| qʷaːd͡ʒa {{angle bracket|къуаджэ}}
| qʷaːʒa {{angle bracket|къуажэ}}
| qʷaːd͡ʒa {{angle bracket|къуаджэ}}
| qʷaːʒa {{angle bracket|къуажэ}}
|-
| village
| t͡ʃəɮa {{angle bracket|чылэ}}
| t͡ʃəɮa {{angle bracket|чылэ}}
| ʃəɮa {{angle bracket|шылэ}}
| d͡ʒəɮa {{angle bracket|джылэ}}
| ʒəɮa {{angle bracket|жылэ}}
|-
| night
| t͡ʃaɕ {{angle bracket|чэщ}}
| t͡ʃaɕə {{angle bracket|чэщы}}
| ʃaɕə {{angle bracket|шэщы}}
| d͡ʒaɕ {{angle bracket|джэщ}}
| ʒaɕ {{angle bracket|жэщ}}
|-
| cow
| t͡ʃam {{angle bracket|чэм}}
| t͡ʃamə {{angle bracket|чэмы}}
| ʃamə {{angle bracket|шэмы}}
| d͡ʒam {{angle bracket|джэм}}
| ʒam {{angle bracket|жэм}}
|-
| new
| t͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|кӏэ}}
| t͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|кӏэ}}
| ʃʼa {{angle bracket|шӏэ}}
| t͡ʃʼa {{angle bracket|кӏэ}}
| ɕʼa {{angle bracket|щӏэ}}
|-
| winter
| t͡ʃʼəmaːxʷa {{angle bracket|кӏымахо}}
| t͡ʃʼəmaːfa {{angle bracket|кӏымафэ}}
| ʃʼəmaːfa {{angle bracket|шӏымафэ}}
| t͡ʃʼəmaːxʷa {{angle bracket|кӏымахуэ}}
| ɕʼəmaːxʷa {{angle bracket|щӏымахуэ}}
|-
| young-man
| t͡ʃʼaːɮa {{angle bracket|кӏалэ}}
| t͡ʃʼaːɮa {{angle bracket|кӏалэ}}
| ʔʲaːɮa {{angle bracket|ӏелэ}}
| t͡ʃʼaːɮa {{angle bracket|кӏалэ}}
| ɕʼaːɮa {{angle bracket|щӏалэ}}
|-
| to sleep
| t͡ʂəjan {{angle bracket|чъыен}}
| t͡ʂəjan {{angle bracket|чъыен}}
| ʂəjan {{angle bracket|шъыен}}
| d͡ʐajən {{angle bracket|джъеин}}
| ʒajən {{angle bracket|жеин}}
|-
| tree
| t͡ʂəɣ {{angle bracket|чъыг}}
| t͡ʂəɣə {{angle bracket|чъыгы}}
| ʂəɣə {{angle bracket|шъыгы}}
| d͡ʐəɣ {{angle bracket|джъыг}}
| ʒəɣ {{angle bracket|жыг}}
|-
| to run
| t͡ʂan {{angle bracket|чъэн}}
| t͡ʂan {{angle bracket|чъэн}}
| tʂan {{angle bracket|шъэн}}
| d͡ʐan {{angle bracket|джъэн}}
| ʒan {{angle bracket|жэн}}
|-
| area
| t͡ʂʼəpʼa {{angle bracket|чӏыпӏэ}}
| t͡ʂʼəpʼa {{angle bracket|чӏыпӏэ}}
| ʃʼəpʼa {{angle bracket|шӏыпӏэ}}
| t͡ʂʼəpʼa {{angle bracket|чӏыпӏэ}}
| ɕʼəpʼa {{angle bracket|щӏыпӏэ}}
|-
| iron
| ʁʷət͡ʂʼə {{angle bracket|гъучӏы}}
| ʁʷət͡ʂʼə {{angle bracket|гъучӏы}}
| ʃʼəpʼa {{angle bracket|гъушӏы}}
| ʁʷət͡ʂʼə {{angle bracket|гъучӏы}}
| ɕʼəpʼa {{angle bracket|гъущӏы}}
|}

===Introduction of labiodental fricatives===
Proto-Circassian had no labiodental fricatives: [[voiceless labiodental fricative]] [f] and [[voiced labiodental fricative]] [v]. Western Circassian received the labiodental fricatives from one source while Eastern Circassian received from another.

In Western:
*{{IPA link|ʷ|xʷ}} {{angle bracket|ху}} → {{IPA link|f}} {{angle bracket|ф}}

In Eastern:
*{{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷʰ }} {{angle bracket|цу}} → {{IPA link|f}} {{angle bracket|ф}}
*{{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|цу}} → {{IPA link|v}} {{angle bracket|в}}
*{{IPA link|ʷ|ʑʷ}} {{angle bracket|жъу}} → {{IPA link|v}} {{angle bracket|в}}
*{{IPA link|ʷ|ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|шъу}} → {{IPA link|f}} {{angle bracket|ф}}
*{{IPA link|ʷ|ɕʷʼ}} {{angle bracket|шӏу}} → {{IPA link|fʼ}} {{angle bracket|фӏ}}

====Western====
Proto-Circassian had a labialized [[voiceless velar fricative]] [xʷ] which survived in the eastern dialects while it became a [[voiceless labiodental fricative]] [f] in the western dialects.

*{{IPA link|ʷ|xʷ}} {{angle bracket|ху}} → {{IPA link|f}} {{angle bracket|ф}}

{| class="wikitable" border="1" text-align="right" 
! Word
! Proto<br />Circassian
! Western
! Eastern
|-
| human
| t͡sʼəxʷ {{angle bracket|цӏыху}}
| t͡sʼəf {{angle bracket|цӏыф}}
| t͡sʼəxʷ {{angle bracket|цӏыху}}
|-
| white
| xʷəʑ {{angle bracket|хужь}}
| fəʑə {{angle bracket|фыжьы}}
| xʷəʑ {{angle bracket|хужь}}
|-
| hot
| xʷaːba {{angle bracket|хуабэ}}
| faːba {{angle bracket|фабэ}}
| xʷaːba {{angle bracket|хуабэ}}
|-
| day
| maːxʷa {{angle bracket|махо}}
| maːfa {{angle bracket|мафэ}}
| maːxʷa {{angle bracket|махуэ}}
|}

====Eastern====
Proto-Circassian had a series of labialized [[postalveolar consonant]]s (t͡ɕʷ, ʑʷ, ɕʷ and ɕʷʼ). These consonants survived in the western dialects while they became labiodental consonants in the eastern dialects.

*{{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷʰ }} {{angle bracket|цу}} → {{IPA link|f}} {{angle bracket|ф}}
*{{IPA link|ʷ|t͡ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|цу}} → {{IPA link|v}} {{angle bracket|в}}
*{{IPA link|ʷ|ʑʷ}} {{angle bracket|жъу}} → {{IPA link|v}} {{angle bracket|в}}
*{{IPA link|ʷ|ɕʷ}} {{angle bracket|шъу}} → {{IPA link|f}} {{angle bracket|ф}}
*{{IPA link|ʷ|ɕʷʼ}} {{angle bracket|шӏу}} → {{IPA link|fʼ}} {{angle bracket|фӏ}}

{| class="wikitable" border="1" text-align="right" 
! Word
! Proto<br />Circassian
! Western
! Eastern
|-
| ox
| t͡ɕʷə {{angle bracket|цу}}
| t͡ɕʷə {{angle bracket|цу}}
| və {{angle bracket|вы}}
|-
| shoe
| t͡ɕʷaːqa {{angle bracket|цуакъэ}}
| t͡ɕʷaːqa {{angle bracket|цуакъэ}}
| vaːqa {{angle bracket|вакъэ}}
|-
| star
| ʑʷaːʁʷa {{angle bracket|жъуагъо}}
| ʑʷaːʁʷa {{angle bracket|жъуагъо}}
| vaːʁʷa {{angle bracket|вагъуэ}}
|-
| stone
| məʑʷa {{angle bracket|мыжъо}}
| məʑʷa {{angle bracket|мыжъо}}
| məva {{angle bracket|мывэ}}
|-
| narrow
| zaʑʷə {{angle bracket|зэжъу}}
| zaʑʷə {{angle bracket|зэжъу}}
| zavə {{angle bracket|зэвы}}
|-
| you (pl.)
| ɕʷa {{angle bracket|шъо}}
| ɕʷa {{angle bracket|шъо}}
| fa {{angle bracket|фэ}}
|-
| honey
| ɕʷaw {{angle bracket|шъоу}}
| ɕʷaw {{angle bracket|шъоу}}
| faw {{angle bracket|фо}}
|-
| wife
| ɕʷəz {{angle bracket|шъуз}}
| ɕʷəz {{angle bracket|шъуз}}
| fəz {{angle bracket|фыз}}
|-
| black
| ɕʷʼət͡sʼa {{angle bracket|шӏуцӏэ}}
| ɕʷʼət͡sʼa {{angle bracket|шӏуцӏэ}}
| fʼət͡sʼa {{angle bracket|фӏыцӏэ}}
|-
| fire
| maːɕʷʼa {{angle bracket|машӏо}}
| maːɕʷʼa {{angle bracket|машӏо}}
| maːfʼa {{angle bracket|мафӏэ}}
|-
| dirty
| ɕʷʼajə{{angle bracket|шӏои}}
| ɕʷʼajə{{angle bracket|шӏои}}
| fʼaj {{angle bracket|фӏей}}
|}

==Grammar==

===Numbers===
{| class="wikitable" border="1" text-align="right" 
! rowspan="2" | English
! colspan="2"| Proto-Circassian
! colspan="2"| [[Ubykh language|Ubykh]]
! colspan="2"| [[Adyghe language|Western Circassian]]
! colspan="2"| [[Kabardian language|Kabardian]]
! colspan="2"| [[Besleney#Language|Baslaney]]
|-
! IPA
! Cyrillic
! IPA
! Cyrillic
! IPA
! Cyrillic
! IPA
! Cyrillic
! IPA
! Cyrillic
|-
| One || zə || зы || za || зэ || zə || зы || zə || зы || zə || зы
|-
| Two || tʷʼə || тӏу || tʼqʷʼa || ткъӏуа || tʷʼə || тӏу || tʷʼə || тӏу || tʼəw || тӏу 
|-
| Three || ɕə || щы || ʂa || шъа || ɕə || щы || ɕə || щы || ɕə || щы
|-
| Four || pt͡ɬʼə || птлӏы || pʼɬʼə || плӏы ||  pɬʼə || плӏы || pɬʼə || плӏы || pt͡ɬʼə || птлӏы
|-
| Five || txʷə || тху || ɕxə || щхы || tfə || тфы || txʷə || тху || txʷə || тху
|-
| Six || xə || хы || fə || фы || xə || хы || xə || хы || xə || хы
|-
| Seven || bɮə || блы || blə || бльы || bɮə || блы || bɮə || блы || bɮə || блы
|-
| Eight || jə || и || ʁʷa || гъуа || jə || и || jə || и || jə || и
|-
| Nine || bʁʷə || бгъу || bʁʲə || бгъьу || bʁʷə || бгъу || bʁʷə || бгъу || bʁʷə || бгъу
|-
| Ten || pʃʼə || пшӏы || ʑʷə || жъуы || pʃʼə || пшӏы || pɕʼə || пщӏы || pʃʼə || пшӏы
|}

==Schleicher's fable==
[[Schleicher's fable]] in Proto-Circassian:

<blockquote>
χʷǝ č́ʷara-gjǝ

χʷǝ ja laśʷam mә q́ˤ:an

č́ʷara pǝʎ́an;

mǝ χwanǝta k:ʷǝm q:irǝ,

mǝ čʷǝχʷa čʷam,

mǝ ć̣ǝm pasa mǝš́ʷrǝ.

χʷǝ č́ʷara q̇́ˤan:

"źǝʁʷǝ sā ǵʷǝ,

q:ać̣am ć̣arǝ č́ʷara ḳ́ʷarǝ."

č́ʷara q̇́ˤan: "q:́ˤʷa χʷǝ!

źǝʁʷǝ š́a ǵʷǝ ć̣arǝ,

q:ać̣a, ł́a, č́ʷara laśʷam

ʎ́ʷa ḳ́ač̣ʷǝm čǝ-wǝ,

χʷiara-gjǝ laśʷam mә q́ˤ:a."

nǝ q:́aˤʷasa χʷǝ rǝq:ʷada q:ˤʷan.
</blockquote>

==See also==
{{sister project |project=wiktionary |text=[[Wiktionary]] has a list of reconstructed forms at '''''[[Wiktionary:Appendix:Proto-Northwest Caucasian reconstructions|Appendix:Proto-Northwest Caucasian reconstructions]]'''''}}
* [[Proto-Abazgi language]]
* [[Proto-Northwest Caucasian language]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*STAROSTIN, Sergei A.; NIKOLAYEV, Sergei L. (1994). A North Caucasian Etymological Dictionary: [http://starling.rinet.ru/Texts/caucpref.pdf Preface].
*Common West Caucasian: The Reconstruction of its Phonological System and Parts of its Lexicon and Morphology. Leiden, The Netherlands : Research School CNWS, 1996; xxvi, 452 p. : ill. ; 24&nbsp;cm. {{ISBN|9073782732}}

[[Category:Proto-languages|Circassian]]
[[Category:Northwest Caucasian languages]]