diakriitilisi

The term diakriitilisi, derived from the Greek word "diakritikos" meaning discerning or distinguishing, refers to diacritical marks. These are small signs or symbols added to a letter in an alphabet to indicate a different pronunciation, stress, or meaning. Diacritical marks are used in many languages to represent sounds that are not covered by the standard letters of the alphabet, or to differentiate between words that are otherwise spelled the same.

Common diacritical marks include the acute accent (´), grave accent (`), circumflex (ˆ), umlaut or diaeresis (¨), tilde (~), and cedilla (¸). For example, in French, the acute accent on the 'e' in "café" changes its pronunciation compared to "cafe" without the accent. The umlaut over the 'u' in German "Müde" (tired) signifies a different vowel sound than in "Mude". The tilde in Spanish "niño" indicates a palatal nasal sound distinct from the 'n' in "niño" without the tilde.

The use of diacritical marks is essential for the correct pronunciation and understanding of many written languages. They help to avoid ambiguity and ensure that words are interpreted as intended by the writer. Their presence or absence can significantly alter the meaning or pronunciation of a word, making them a crucial element of orthography in numerous linguistic systems.