støde

Stød is a Danish phonological phenomenon commonly described as a form of glottalization or creaky-voice quality that affects certain syllables. The term in Danish is stød, sometimes represented in English-language discussions as stød or, in older or non-standard spellings, støde. It is a suprasegmental feature, meaning it operates across a syllable rather than as a single consonant or vowel.

Phonetic realization of stød varies: it involves a constriction or special vibration pattern of the vocal folds during the articulation of a syllable, producing a perceptible change in voice quality. The effect can range from a subtle creaky-voiced quality to a more pronounced glottalization and may be heard as a brief break within the vowel. Because stød is phonemic in standard Danish, its presence or absence can distinguish words or grammatical forms, contributing to the language’s distinctive sound pattern.

Distribution and realization of stød differ by dialect, speaker, and speaking style. It is more prominent in careful or formal speech and can be reduced or lost in rapid casual speech. The historical and theoretical treatment of stød has been a central topic in Danish phonology since the early 20th century, with ongoing research into its exact acoustic correlates and phonetic nature. Some analyses view it as a combination of phonation types (glottalization and creaky voice) and as a feature that interacts with vowel length and surrounding consonants.

For learners of Danish, recognizing stød aids pronunciation and comprehension, as misplacing or omitting it can affect meaning. See also Danish language, Danish phonology, glottalization.