háekacute

Háekacute is a diacritic in the orthography of the constructed language Háek, devised to mark a specific phonological feature on vowels. It is used to signal a combination of vowel quality and tonal movement within a syllable, rather than a mere accent on pronunciation.

In written form, the háekacute is placed above the base vowel, combining with standard diacritics. Typographic variants include a small hook or vertical stroke above the letter, and it can appear in conjunction with other marks in extended orthographies. The exact visual rendering depends on the typeface, but the intended function remains a distinct diacritic signifier.

Phonologically, háekacute indicates a long rising tone on the vowel and is sometimes associated with a length distinction. In descriptions of Háek phonology, the mark helps separate syllables that bear a rising pitch from those with a level or falling contour, contributing to the language’s pitch-based vowel system.

History and usage: The term emerged in conlang discussions in the mid-2010s and has been used in example grammars, font demonstrations, and teaching materials within hobbyist language communities. It is not part of natural language orthographies and remains primarily of interest in experimental linguistics and typography.

Relationship to other diacritics: The háekacute is conceptually related to tonal diacritics and to the wider family of acute-like marks used to convey pitch, length, or vowel quality. It is chiefly discussed within conlanger communities and among followers of experimental orthography.

See also: diacritic, acute accent, tonal diacritics, constructed language, typography.