Täishääliku

Täishääliku is an Estonian term referring to a full vowel sound. In Estonian phonology, vowels are classified as short or long, and the length of a vowel can significantly alter the meaning of a word. Täishääliku specifically denotes the longer pronunciation of a vowel. This distinction is crucial for correct pronunciation and comprehension of the Estonian language.

The concept of vowel length is a fundamental aspect of Estonian phonetics. There are three distinct vowel lengths in Estonian: short, long, and overlong. A täishääliku corresponds to the long vowel, which is held for a longer duration than a short vowel but shorter than an overlong vowel. This temporal distinction is marked orthographically by doubling the vowel letter. For example, in the word "tuli" (fire), the 'u' is short, while in "tuuli" (winds), the 'uu' represents a long vowel, a täishääliku.

The presence or absence of a täishääliku can differentiate between similar-sounding words, thereby avoiding ambiguity. For instance, "lina" (flax) has a short 'i', while "liina" (sheet, genitive case) has a long 'ii', a täishääliku. Mastering the correct pronunciation of vowel lengths, including the täishääliku, is essential for fluent and accurate communication in Estonian. This phonetic feature contributes to the unique sound and structure of the language.