A broken vowel refers to a type of vowel sound that undergoes a significant alteration or distortion in its articulation, resulting in a deviation from its original pure sound quality. This term is primarily used in the field of phonetics where it describes a deviation from standard pronunciation.
When a vowel is described as broken, it implies that the sound produced is noticeably different from the typical form of that vowel. The alteration pertains to either the vowel's quality, duration, or both. This alteration can manifest as a diphthongization, where a single vowel glides into another within the same syllable, or as a monophthongization, where a two-vowel sequence is reduced to a single vowel.
Moreover, a broken vowel can also be characterized by a combination of different vowel qualities within a single syllable. This often occurs due to co-articulation, where the positioning of articulatory organs for one vowel affects the adjacent vowel sound. As a result, the quality of the vowel becomes compromised and modified.
Broken vowels can be influenced by dialect or regional varieties of a language, leading to distinct pronunciation patterns. However, it is important to note that the concept of a broken vowel is subjective, varying between languages and depending on the perception of the listener.
In conclusion, a broken vowel refers to a vowel sound that deviates from its pure form, either in terms of quality, duration, or both. It can result from diphthongization, monophthongization, or co-articulation and is a subjective concept influenced by regional dialects and individual listeners.
