Intervocalic: meaning, definitions and examples

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intervocalic

 

[ ˌɪntərˈvoʊkəlɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

phonetics usage

Intervocalic refers to the position of a sound that occurs between two vowels in a word. This is particularly significant in phonetics and linguistics, as it can affect pronunciation and the way sounds are linked together. In many languages, including English, intervocalic sounds can influence the stress or intonation of the word. Understanding intervocalic positions is essential for studies in phonology and language development.

Synonyms

between vowels, vowel-adjacent.

Examples of usage

  • The intervocalic 't' in 'butter' varies in pronunciation.
  • In Spanish, the intervocalic 'b' is pronounced differently than at the beginning of a word.
  • Intervocalic consonants can change meaning in different dialects.

Translations

Translations of the word "intervocalic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 intervocálico

🇮🇳 आंतरस्वर

🇩🇪 intervokalisch

🇮🇩 intervokalik

🇺🇦 інтервокальний

🇵🇱 interwokalny

🇯🇵 母音間の

🇫🇷 intervocalique

🇪🇸 intervocálico

🇹🇷 sesler arası

🇰🇷 모음 사이의

🇸🇦 بين الحروف الصوتية

🇨🇿 intervokální

🇸🇰 intervokačný

🇨🇳 元音间的

🇸🇮 intervokalni

🇮🇸 milli hljóð

🇰🇿 дауысты дыбыстар арасындағы

🇬🇪 ინტერვოკალური

🇦🇿 intervokal

🇲🇽 intervocálico

Etymology

The term 'intervocalic' is derived from the Latin roots 'inter-' meaning 'between' and 'vocalis' meaning 'vocal' or 'pertaining to the voice'. The usage of the word can be traced back to the fields of linguistics and phonetics, emerging as languages began to be studied more rigorously in the 19th and 20th centuries. Scholars sought to describe and analyze the sounds of speech, and the position of sounds became a vital area of study. By distinguishing these features, linguists could better understand dialectal variations, sound change, and the mechanisms of speech production, leading to a more comprehensive view of language as a dynamic system.