Magánhangzószer

Magánhangzószer is a Hungarian term that translates to "vowel harmony" in English linguistics. It describes a phonological phenomenon where vowels within a word must belong to a specific set of categories, influencing each other to maintain a consistent sound quality. This harmony is typically based on features such as frontness or backness of the tongue, and rounding of the lips.

Hungarian has a well-defined system of vowel harmony, primarily divided into two main types: front vowels (e.g., e, é, ö, ő, i, í, ü, ű) and back vowels (e.g., a, á, o, ó, u, ú). Words typically contain only front vowels or only back vowels, though exceptions and certain neutral vowels exist. Suffixes in Hungarian also undergo vowel harmony, adapting their vowel to match the vowels present in the root word. For instance, a suffix might have two forms, one with front vowels and another with back vowels, and the correct form is chosen based on the word it attaches to. This system plays a crucial role in the morphological structure of the Hungarian language, affecting word formation and grammatical changes. Understanding magánhangzószer is essential for comprehending the phonological rules and spoken patterns of Hungarian.