Hääldus

Hääldus is the Estonian term for pronunciation, referring to the way speech sounds are produced and heard. In linguistic terms, it encompasses both the segmental level (individual sounds such as vowels and consonants) and the suprasegmental level (rhythm, stress, intonation, and tempo). Hääldus describes how phonemes are realized in spoken language, how sounds combine in sequences, and how length and timing can affect meaning.

Key aspects of hääldus include the inventory of sounds a language uses, the distinctions between sounds that are phonemic (able to change meaning) and those that are not, and the rules that govern how sounds change in context. This also covers vowel length and consonant length, which can distinguish words, as well as assimilation and other allophonic variations that occur in connected speech. Suprasegmental features such as primary stress, intonation patterns, and rhythm contribute to the perceived naturalness and clarity of spoken Estonian.

In practice, hääldus is taught as part of standard Estonian pronunciation, while regional dialects and individual speech habits produce variation. The standard form aims to reflect a common, widely understood way of speaking, whereas dialectal pronunciation may differ in vowel quality, consonant realization, or intonation.

For learners and researchers, studying hääldus often involves listening practice, phonetic transcription using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), and comparing audio examples with written forms. Dictionaries and pronunciation guides provide guidance on how a word should be pronounced, helping to bridge spelling and spoken language.