NASAL VOWELS Meaning and
Definition
-
Nasal vowels refer to a specific type of vowel sound produced by allowing air to pass simultaneously through the nasal cavity and the oral cavity. In this type of vowel, the airstream is divided, with a portion passing through the nose and the remainder escaping through the mouth. Nasal vowels are characterized by resonance in the nasal cavity, resulting in a distinct nasal quality to the sound.
This phenomenon is found in various languages, including French, Portuguese, and many of the indigenous languages of the Americas. Nasal vowels are typically indicated in written languages using specific diacritical marks, such as nasalization symbols or nasal consonant letters. These markings serve to distinguish nasal vowel sounds from their non-nasal counterparts.
The articulation of nasal vowels involves lowering the soft palate, allowing air to pass through the nose, while simultaneously shaping the oral cavity to create the corresponding vowel sound. This dual airstream creates a different acoustic quality, giving nasal vowels their characteristic nasal resonance.
Nasal vowels are often contrasted with oral vowels, which are produced without any nasal resonance. The distinction between nasal and oral vowels can be crucial for distinguishing words in certain languages and can significantly impact the meaning of words or phrases. Additionally, nasal vowels can add unique phonetic characteristics to a language, contributing to its overall phonological system.
Etymology of NASAL VOWELS
The word "nasal" comes from the Latin word "nasus", meaning "nose". It is combined with the term "vowel", which originates from the Latin word "vocalis", referring to "sound". The term "nasal vowel" is used to describe a vowel sound that is produced with the air flowing through the nose.
