Rõhkumat
Rõhkumat is a term used in Estonian linguistics to describe a specific phonetic phenomenon related to stress and vowel reduction. It refers to the tendency for unstressed syllables in Estonian words to undergo significant vowel reduction, often leading to a change in the vowel's quality or even its complete disappearance. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in polysyllabic words where stress falls on the first syllable.
The reduction can manifest in various ways. Unstressed vowels, especially front vowels like 'i', 'e', and 'ö',
Understanding rõhkumat is crucial for accurate pronunciation and comprehension of Estonian. It plays a role in