võrdluskõla

Võrdluskõla, a term originating from Estonian linguistics, refers to a concept related to phonetic similarity and perceptual overlap between sounds. It describes the degree to which two distinct speech sounds are perceived as similar or interchangeable by listeners, particularly within a specific language or dialect. This similarity is not purely based on objective acoustic measurements but also on how the human auditory system processes and categorizes sounds.

The concept is relevant in phonology and phonetics, helping to explain why certain sound changes occur or why speakers might substitute one sound for another. For instance, if two phonemes have a high võrdluskõla, it means they share many acoustic features and are easily confused. This can lead to instances of free variation or even phonemic merger in certain contexts. Understanding võrdluskõla is crucial for analyzing phonological systems, studying language acquisition, and developing speech recognition technologies. It highlights the subjective and cognitive aspects of sound perception in language.