ünsüz

UnsüZ is a Turkish word that translates to "consonant" in English. It refers to speech sounds produced by obstructing or constricting the airflow in the vocal tract. In Turkish phonology, consonants play a crucial role in forming words and distinguishing their meanings. They are typically contrasted with vowels, which are produced with an open vocal tract and a relatively unimpeded airflow.

Turkish consonants are categorized based on their place and manner of articulation, similar to how consonants are classified in many other languages. Place of articulation refers to where in the mouth the airflow is obstructed, such as the lips (bilabial), teeth (dental), or the back of the tongue (velar). Manner of articulation describes how the airflow is obstructed, such as stopping it completely (plosive), narrowing it to create friction (fricative), or allowing it to pass through the nose (nasal).

The Turkish alphabet contains a variety of consonant letters, each representing a specific phonetic sound. Understanding the distinction between ünsüz and ünlü (vowel) is fundamental to learning Turkish pronunciation and grammar. The interplay of consonants and vowels forms the syllable structure and rhythm of the Turkish language.