Lõpptoonide

Lõpptoonide, also known as final tones, are a phonological feature found in some languages, particularly in Estonian. They are a set of four distinct tones that can be applied to the final syllable of a word. These tones are not present in every word, but they play a crucial role in distinguishing words that would otherwise be homophones. The four lõpptoonide are:

1. Ülemine (High): This tone is characterized by a rising pitch at the end of the syllable.

2. Alam (Low): This tone is characterized by a falling pitch at the end of the syllable.

3. Ülem-alam (High-Low): This tone is characterized by a rising pitch followed by a falling pitch.

4. Alam-ülem (Low-High): This tone is characterized by a falling pitch followed by a rising pitch.

The use of lõpptoonide is a unique feature of Estonian phonology and is not found in many other languages. They are an important aspect of the language's phonetic system and contribute to the richness and complexity of Estonian speech. The tones are typically not written down in standard Estonian orthography, but they are an essential part of the spoken language.