Vokaaliääntä

Vokaaliääntä refers to a vowel sound in the Finnish language. Finnish has eight vowel sounds: /ɑ/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/, /y/, /ø/, and /æ/. These sounds are produced with an open vocal tract, meaning there is no obstruction of airflow. The quality of a vowel sound is determined by the position of the tongue within the mouth and the shape of the lips.

The front vowels in Finnish are /e/, /i/, /y/, /ø/, and /æ/. These are produced with the highest point of the tongue located in the front part of the mouth. The back vowels are /ɑ/, /o/, and /u/, produced with the highest point of the tongue in the back of the mouth.

Vowel harmony is a significant phonological feature of Finnish, and it directly relates to vokaaliääntä. In Finnish, vowels are categorized as either front or back. Within a single word, vowels typically belong to only one of these categories. For example, a word with a back vowel like 'o' usually does not contain a front vowel like 'ä', unless it's a loanword or a compound word. This system influences word formation and the choice of grammatical suffixes.

The precise pronunciation of Finnish vowel sounds can vary slightly depending on dialect, but the distinction between the eight core vowel sounds remains consistent across standard Finnish. Understanding vokaaliääntä is crucial for correct pronunciation and comprehension of the Finnish language.