Szóvégzdés

Szóvégzdés, also known as word-final devoicing, is a phonological process that occurs in certain languages, where a voiced consonant at the end of a word becomes voiceless. This phenomenon is particularly notable in Hungarian, where it is a regular and productive process.

In Hungarian, word-final devoicing affects voiced consonants such as /b/, /d/, and /g/, which become voiceless /p/, /t/, and /k/ respectively. For example, the word "dob" (meaning "throw") becomes "dop" when used as a verb, indicating the past tense. Similarly, "szab" (meaning "to make") becomes "szap" in the past tense.

This process is not limited to Hungarian; it also occurs in other languages, such as Turkish and some dialects of English. In Turkish, for instance, the word-final voiced consonants /b/, /d/, and /g/ become /p/, /t/, and /k/ respectively, as seen in the word "kitap" (meaning "book") which is derived from the verb "kitap etmek" (meaning "to write a book").

Word-final devoicing is a phonological rule that applies consistently in these languages, affecting both native and borrowed words. It is a regular process that does not require any special marking or indication in the spelling of the words. Understanding this process is crucial for speakers of these languages to accurately pronounce and comprehend words, as well as for linguists studying the phonology of these languages.