The spelling of the word "substratums" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced /sʌbˈstreɪtəmz/, with the stress falling on the second syllable "stre". The "b" in the beginning is voiced and followed by the unvoiced "s" sound. The "a" in "sub" is pronounced as "uh", while the second "a" in "substratums" is pronounced as "ay". The last sound is an "m" followed by a "z" sound making it a plural.
Substratums are plural forms of the noun "substratum." The term "substratum" is commonly used in the field of linguistics and has various meanings depending on the context.
In linguistics, substratum refers to a linguistic or language influence that occurs when a dominant language comes into contact with another language or dialect. It refers to the linguistic elements, such as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, or syntax, that are borrowed or transferred from the original language into the dominant language. This usually happens when a group of people, speaking a different language or dialect, migrates or settles in an area where another language is already dominant. In such a scenario, the substratum language or dialect influences the language spoken in that region.
Substratums can also refer to the underlying layers or substances upon which other things rest or are built. In this sense, it is used in geology to describe the material or rock layer that lies beneath the surface layer. Similarly, the term is used in biology to describe the underlying tissue or layer upon which something grows or develops.
In summary, substratums in linguistics refer to the language influences borrowed or transferred from one language or dialect to another, usually occurring when a dominant language comes into contact with another language. In geology and biology, substratums refer to the underlying layers or substances upon which other things rest or are developed.
The word substratums is derived from the Latin word substratum, which is the neuter form of the participle substratus which means placed beneath. It is formed from the prefix sub- meaning under and the verb stratus meaning to spread or lay down. In English, the suffix -um is added to indicate the plural form, hence resulting in substratums.