modulatsioonimärgid

Modulatsioonimärgid, known in English as modulation marks or diacritics, are symbols added to a letter to indicate a specific pronunciation or to distinguish between homographs. These marks are prevalent in many languages, altering the sound of the base letter in various ways. For instance, an accent mark like an acute accent (´) can indicate stress or a different vowel sound. A grave accent (`) might signal a different intonation or word meaning. The circumflex accent (ˆ) often denotes a historical pronunciation or a vowel sound. The umlaut (¨) or diaeresis typically indicates that a vowel should be pronounced separately from the preceding vowel or that it has a different sound. Cedillas (¸) are used under certain consonants, most commonly 'c', to indicate a soft 's' sound. Tildes (˜) can alter vowel sounds or indicate nasalization. Other less common marks include carons (ˇ), dots above or below letters, and various hooks or strokes. The primary function of these marks is to provide phonetic information, ensuring clarity and precision in written language. They are essential for accurate reading and comprehension in languages that employ them, playing a crucial role in distinguishing word meanings and grammatical functions. The specific usage and appearance of modulation marks vary significantly from one language to another, reflecting the unique phonological systems of each.