äänellisiksi

Äänellisiksi is a Finnish term that translates to "voiced" in English, specifically referring to speech sounds. It describes the vibration of the vocal cords during the production of certain consonants and vowels. When a sound is produced äänelliseksi, the vocal folds are brought together and vibrate, creating a buzzing sensation that can often be felt in the throat. This contrasts with voiceless sounds, where the vocal cords remain open and do not vibrate.

In phonetics, the distinction between voiced and voiceless sounds is crucial for distinguishing meaning between words. For example, the difference between the English words "fan" and "van" lies solely in the voicing of the initial consonant. Similarly, in Finnish, the contrast between "pata" (pot) and "bata" (a less common word, often referring to a type of potato) highlights the importance of voicing.

Common examples of äänelliseksi sounds in Finnish include vowels like 'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', 'u', and 'y', as well as consonants such as 'b', 'd', 'g', 'v', 'z', and the nasal sounds 'm' and 'n'. The presence or absence of vocal cord vibration is a fundamental characteristic that defines the phonetic inventory of a language and plays a significant role in speech perception and production. Understanding the concept of äänellisiksi is therefore essential for anyone studying Finnish phonology or linguistics.