átfolyni

Átfolyás is a concept in Hungarian linguistics that refers to the gradual movement of vowel sounds in a word from one quality to another. This phenomenon typically occurs when a vowel is followed by a consonant, and the vowel sound changes as the word is pronounced.

Átfolyás is often compared to vowel harmony, which is a broader phenomenon in which vowels within a word or across words in a sentence harmonize with each other in terms of their quality or quantity. However, átfolyás specifically involves the shift of vowel sounds from one quality to another as the word is pronounced.

The types of vowel changes that occur in átfolyás include i → e, i → y, e → i, and e → ə (schwa). These changes can affect both monosyllabic and polysyllabic words. Átfolyás can also occur across word boundaries, for example when a word ending in a vowel sound precedes a word starting with a consonant.

Átfolyás is a distinctive feature of the Hungarian language, which has a complex system of vowel harmony and a significant number of vowel changes. While átfolyás is primarily a phonetic phenomenon, it can also influence the phonological and morphological structures of Hungarian words. Understanding átfolyás is essential for mastering the pronunciation and grammar of the Hungarian language.

The study of átfolyás has also attracted the attention of linguists interested in the development of Hungarian as a language. Researchers have sought to explain the origins of átfolyás and its role in the evolution of Hungarian phonology. Despite its importance in the Hungarian language, átfolyás remains a relatively understudied topic in the field of linguistics.