intervokális

Intervokalis is a term used in linguistics to describe the relationship between vowels that occur in sequence within a word or across word boundaries. It refers to the phonological and phonetic aspects of adjacent vowel sounds. This can involve phenomena like vowel hiatus, where two vowels are pronounced separately, or diphthongs and triphthongs, where they are pronounced as a single, gliding sound. The way intervocalic vowels are realized can vary significantly between languages and even within dialects of the same language.

In some languages, intervocalic vowels are often subject to elision, where one of the vowels is dropped to simplify pronunciation, particularly in rapid speech. For instance, in Italian, a final unstressed vowel might be dropped before a word beginning with a vowel, creating an intervocalic elision. Conversely, some languages might insert a glide, such as /j/ or /w/, between two vowels to prevent hiatus and create a smoother transition. The perception and analysis of intervocalic vowels are crucial for understanding the phonological rules and sound changes of a language. The phonetic realization can also be influenced by factors like stress and the specific phonetic environment.