MURMUR VOWEL Meaning and
Definition
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A murmured vowel is a specific type of vowel sound produced with the vocal cords in a partially open position, generating a low-volume, breathy quality. Typically, murmured vowels are characterized by the absence of vocal fold vibration, resulting in a faint, hushed, or whispering timbre. This phoneme is articulated by narrowing the vocal folds and allowing the air to flow through with minimal contact, resulting in a weakened, breathy vocalization.
Murmured vowels are often marked by a reduction in intensity and a more relaxed articulatory effort. They can be found in certain languages where they function as distinctive phonemes, carrying specific meanings. For instance, English features a murmured vowel in the word "uh-oh" or the exclamation "shh!" These murmured sounds help convey a sense of secrecy, softness, or gentleness by employing breathier voicing.
Additionally, murmured vowels are frequently utilized in speech for whispers or when attempting to speak quietly to limit the audibility of one’s voice. Their distinctive quality is often attributed to the reduction of vocal cord resistance to airflow, resulting in an airy and breathy tone. This characteristic makes them easily distinguishable from modal vowels, which are produced with full vocal fold vibration and a more resonant quality.
Common Misspellings for MURMUR VOWEL
- nurmur vowel
- kurmur vowel
- jurmur vowel
- myrmur vowel
- mhrmur vowel
- mjrmur vowel
- mirmur vowel
- m8rmur vowel
- m7rmur vowel
- muemur vowel
- mudmur vowel
- mufmur vowel
- mutmur vowel
- mu5mur vowel
- mu4mur vowel
- murnur vowel
- murkur vowel
- murjur vowel
- murmyr vowel
Etymology of MURMUR VOWEL
The word "murmur" originates from the Latin word "murmurare", which means "to murmur" or "to rumble". In linguistic terminology, a "murmur vowel" refers to a vowel sound that is reduced or weakened, often resulting in a barely audible or murmured quality. The term "murmur vowel" arose from the observation of the soft and whispered nature of these particular vowel sounds.
Similar spelling word for MURMUR VOWEL
