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Nasalize Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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nasalize

[หˆneษช.zษ™.laษชz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

speech production

To nasalize means to pronounce a sound through the nose as well as the mouth. This occurs when the velum is lowered, allowing air to escape through the nasal cavity. Nasalization can affect the quality of vowels and consonants in various languages. It is an important phonetic feature in many languages, where it can change the meaning of words. Nasalized sounds are common in languages such as French and Portuguese.

Synonyms

muffle, nasal, sound through nose.

Examples of usage

  • The singer nasalized her notes for a unique effect.
  • In her speech, she nasalized certain vowel sounds to emphasize emotion.
  • Many languages require nasalization for correct pronunciation.
  • Children often nasalize sounds when they first learn to speak.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • In some languages like French, nasal sounds can change the meaning of a word, illustrating their importance in communication.
  • Many traditional singing styles around the world, such as Mongolian throat singing, use nasalization for unique sounds.
  • Nasal speech is also notable in certain dialects, like some American accents, where it adds character and uniqueness.

Linguistics

  • Nasalization can occur naturally in speech, where nearby sounds influence how others are pronounced.
  • Linguists identify various types of nasal sounds, such as nasal vowels, which are critical in understanding phonetic patterns across languages.
  • Nasalized vowels are common in languages like Portuguese and Hindi, showcasing how different cultures utilize sound.

Health and Biology

  • Certain nasal infections can affect voice quality, altering how nasal sounds are produced.
  • Understanding how to nasalize is important for speech therapy, particularly for children learning to speak correctly.
  • The anatomy of the nose and throat plays a crucial role in how effectively we can nasalize our words.

Art and Performance

  • Theaters often use nasalization techniques in character voices to convey different personality traits.
  • Vocalists sometimes nasalize their singing to create specific tonal effects in various music genres, especially in folk and traditional songs.
  • Comedians may employ nasal sounds for humorous effect, as it can exaggerate emotions or characterizations.

Origin of 'nasalize'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'nasalize' comes from the Latin word 'nasalis', meaning 'of the nose'.
  • In phonetics, nasal sounds are produced by allowing air to escape through the nose, which is a key feature in many languages.
  • Nasalization was first studied as a distinctive feature in sounds by linguists in the early 20th century.

The term 'nasalize' is derived from the word 'nasal', which traces back to the Latin 'nasalis', meaning 'of the nose', from 'nasus', meaning 'nose'. The root word 'nasus' has cognates in various Indo-European languages, indicating its longstanding presence in the linguistic landscape. The suffix '-ize' is used in English to form verbs indicating the transformation into a specific state. The combination of these components in 'nasalize' suggests the action of making sounds more 'nasal' in quality. This term has been utilized in linguistic studies to describe phonetic characteristics and has gained prominence particularly in the 20th century as phonetics and linguistics evolved as disciplines.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,059, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.