sulghäälikud

Sulghäälikud are a phonological feature found in some languages, referring to consonants that are produced with a velar or uvular articulation, often combined with a secondary articulation like palatalization or labialization. The term itself is of Estonian origin, directly translating to "feather sounds" or "plume sounds," which may allude to the light, airy quality sometimes associated with these sounds.

These sounds are characterized by the back of the tongue making contact or nearing contact with the soft palate (velum) or the uvula. Depending on the specific language and phonetic context, a sulghäälik might also involve rounding of the lips or raising of the front of the tongue. This can lead to a variety of sounds that might be transcribed as velar fricatives, velar affricates, or even velar stops in different linguistic analyses.

The presence and exact phonetic realization of sulghäälikud vary significantly. For instance, some Finnic languages, including Estonian, utilize sounds that can be categorized as sulghäälikud, often appearing in specific phonological environments or as allophones of other consonants. Their precise phonemic status and phonetic details are subjects of ongoing linguistic research and debate, as they can be subtle and difficult to distinguish from more common velar or uvular consonants. The study of sulghäälikud contributes to our understanding of the diverse range of human speech sounds and the complex articulatory mechanisms involved in their production.